# How to Sort Your Mahjong Island Tiles

**Quick answer:** To sort your tiles in Mahjong Island, group them by suit, then put each suit in number order from 1 to 9.

Source: https://mahjongisland.com/blog/how-to-sort-mahjong-tiles · Mahjong Island · Updated 2026-10-29

To sort your Mahjong Island tiles, group them by suit, then line up each suit in number order. Once they are sorted, the tiles you need are much easier to find.

## What order should the tiles go in?

Start with the three suits: Bam, Crak, and Dot. Keep each suit side by side. Inside each suit, count up from 1 to 9.

Tiles: 1 Bam, 2 Bam, 3 Bam, 4 Bam, 5 Bam, 6 Bam, 7 Bam, 8 Bam, 9 Bam. The Bam suit in number order, 1 to 9. The 1 Bam shows a peacock.

If you are still learning the faces, the [guide to Mahjong Island tiles](/guides/mahjong-tiles) shows every suit, Wind, and Dragon.

## Why does sorting help?

Sorting puts tiles that work together right next to each other. You win by completing one hand on the Island Card: 14 tiles that match one line on the card.

A hand on the card is written as groups of identical tiles, like a Pair (2 identical tiles) or a Set (3 identical tiles). Some lines also ask for numbers in a row, like 1-2-3-4-5. When each suit is in order, matching tiles sit side by side and numbers in a row are easy to spot.

## Where do Winds and Dragons go?

Several hands on the card use all 4 Winds, so it helps to keep them in one place.

Tiles: East, South, West, North. The 4 Winds: East, South, West, North.

There are 3 Dragons: Red, Green, and White. The White Dragon is called Soap. A hand is built from identical tiles, so keep matching Dragons side by side.

Tiles: Red Dragon, Green Dragon, Soap. The 3 Dragons: Red, Green, and White, which is called Soap.

For the full rules, read [how to play Mahjong Island](/guides/how-to-play-mahjong). The short lesson below shows sorting in action.

[Sort your tiles](https://mahjongisland.com/learn/sort-your-rack)

[Play a hand free](https://mahjongisland.com/play?new=1)

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the order of the suits matter?

No. Just keep each suit together and in number order.