Play Mahjong Solitaire Online — Free, No Download
Introduction
Mahjong Solitaire is the calm cousin of the classic tile game: a board piled high with decorated tiles, and one job — remove every tile by matching pairs. You can only match a tile that is free, meaning nothing sits on top of it and at least one of its left or right sides is open. There is no clock and no opponent, so a game is a quiet, meditative puzzle that you solve at your own pace. Play it free in your browser with dozens of layouts and no download.
About Mahjong Solitaire
Mahjong Solitaire was invented in 1981 by Brodie Lockard, who created the single-player matching version of the ancient four-player tile game. It spread through early computer systems and has been a staple of every casual game collection since. The appeal is simple: the rules take ten seconds to learn, the board is always different, and the challenge is entirely about seeing the path through the pile.
The tiles are drawn from the traditional mahjong set — bamboos, characters, circles, winds, dragons and bonus tiles. Identical tiles can be matched, but only when they are free: a tile with another tile on top of it, or with both neighbours covering its sides, cannot be selected. Good players do not just clear tiles, they plan which matches to take and which to leave for later.
This version is built on an open-source implementation by ffalt, released under the MIT licence, and offers a wide range of layouts from simple towers to the classic turtle arrangement. The code is MIT licensed while the tile artwork carries its own permissive licences, all credited on this page. Everything runs in your browser with no account, no download and no time pressure.
How to Play Mahjong Solitaire
Find a free pair.
Look for two identical tiles that are both free — nothing on top of them and at least one open side. Click them to remove both from the board.
Match identical tiles only.
A pair must show the same design. Different suits never match, and the bonus tile pairs are limited to their own set.
Clear the whole board.
Keep removing free pairs until every tile is gone. The game ends when the board is empty, or when you have no legal matches left — a state you can often avoid by planning ahead.
Choose a layout.
The game offers several layouts, from small practice towers to large classic shapes. Bigger layouts take longer and reward more planning, while small ones are good for a quick session.
Use the hints when you are stuck.
When no move is obvious, a hint can show you a legal pair. Using hints sparingly keeps the puzzle honest while making sure you never get permanently stuck.
Mahjong Solitaire Controls
| Action | Desktop | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Select a tile | Click a free tile | Tap a free tile |
| Match a pair | Click the second tile of the pair | Tap the second tile of the pair |
| Get a hint | Click the Hint button | Tap the Hint button |
| Undo last match | Click the Undo button | Tap the Undo button |
| Shuffle the board | Click the Shuffle button | Tap the Shuffle button |
| Restart the layout | Click the New Game button | Tap the New Game button |
| Fullscreen | Click the fullscreen button above the board | Tap the fullscreen button above the board |
| Exit fullscreen | Escape key | Tap the fullscreen button again |
Mahjong Solitaire Tips & Strategies
Match the hardest pairs first
Tiles buried at the bottom of a stack are the ones that end games. Look for pairs that unlock deeper tiles early, rather than clearing the easy top layer first.
Keep an eye on open sides
A tile is only free if at least one side is open. When you choose which of several identical tiles to take, take the one whose removal opens the most other tiles.
Do not clear pairs randomly
Every match changes which tiles are free. Before you take a pair, ask whether removing it will expose the pair you actually need next, or bury it further.
Count the tiles that are left
If the board gets thin, count the remaining pairs. A tile with no matching partner still on the board is a game over waiting to happen — find it before it traps you.
Use shuffle as a last resort
Shuffle rearranges the board and can change which tiles are free, but it also erases the plan you have built. Prefer a hint or a careful rethink before you shuffle.
Learn the tile designs
The fastest players recognise tile designs at a glance. Spend a few games learning the bamboo, circle and character suits and you will spot pairs far more quickly.
What makes Mahjong Solitaire worth playing
- Classic Mahjong Solitaire matching with dozens of layouts
- Runs entirely in your browser with no download or plugin
- No timer and no moves limit — play completely at your own pace
- Hints and shuffle help when you are stuck
- Open source under the MIT licence with artwork credits
Game Info
| Developer | ffalt |
|---|---|
| Released | 2017 |
| Genre | Board, Tile Matching, Puzzle |
| Players | Single player |
| Technology | HTML5 / JavaScript |
| Platforms | Desktop, Tablet, Mobile browser |
| Average session | About 15 minutes |
| Licence | MIT |
| Last updated |
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Mahjong Solitaire — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mahjong Solitaire free to play?
Yes, completely. The game is open source under the MIT licence and free to play here with no payment, no sign-up and no premium version.
What makes a tile free in Mahjong Solitaire?
A tile is free when no other tile sits on top of it and at least one of its left or right sides is open. You can only match two free identical tiles.
Can I play Mahjong Solitaire on my phone?
Yes. The game supports touch controls — tap a tile to select it and tap its matching partner to remove the pair. It works in portrait and landscape on mobile browsers.
What happens when I have no legal moves?
If no two free tiles match, the game offers a shuffle that rearranges the board and usually creates new pairs. You can also undo a match and try a different path.
How many layouts are available?
The game includes a wide selection of layouts, from small practice boards to the classic turtle arrangement, so you can choose the size and difficulty of each game.
Is my progress saved between sessions?
Your current board state is kept in your browser's local storage where the game supports it, so you can close the tab and return to the same layout later.
What other matching games are on this site?
If you enjoy matching tiles, Klondike Solitaire offers a card-based matching puzzle, and 2048 gives you a number-merging challenge. Both are linked from their game pages.
Licence & Attribution
Mahjong Solitaire (Mah) by ffalt · MIT License
Art and audio: MIXED — code MIT; uni.svg tile set Public Domain (Shizhao); riichi.svg tile set CC-BY-4.0 (FluffyStuff); selected backgrounds under the Unsplash License
Licence verified .