Riichi Mahjong Scoring Explained: Fan, Fu and Yakuman

How riichi mahjong points work β€” fan (han), fu, mangan and above, plus a quick yakuman list. Understand the score table without the jargon.

Fan and fu: the two ingredients

A riichi hand scores two quantities: fan (η•ͺ), from yaku like riichi, tanyao or pinfu, and fu (符), from the hand structure β€” pairs, waits and how you won. The base points are 30 fu Γ— 2^(2+fan) for a non-dealer, then multiplied for the dealer and the type of win.

You do not need to memorize the formula: every client shows the fan and fu breakdown after each win.

Mangan and the upper limits

Once a hand reaches 5 fan it scores the flat mangan value (8,000/12,000 points) instead of multiplying further. 6-7 fan is haneman, 8-10 fan baiman, 11-12 fan sanbaiman and 13+ fan is yakuman β€” the maximum score.

Common yaku worth knowing

The most frequent yaku are riichi (1 fan), tanyao β€” all simples (1), pinfu (1), a triplet of dragons or your seat wind (1), and a full flush (3, or 2 open). Seven pairs is worth 2 fan, and a 13-orphans hand is a yakuman.

FAQ

How is riichi mahjong scored?
Base points use fan (from yaku) and fu (from hand structure). 5 fan is mangan; 6-7 haneman; 8-10 baiman; 11-12 sanbaiman; 13+ yakuman. The dealer pays/takes double.
What is the difference between fan and fu?
Fan come from named patterns (yaku). Fu come from the structure: pairs, waits, and whether you won on a draw or a discard. Both feed the same score formula.

Related tutorial

πŸ€„ Riichi Mahjong Tutorial

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