How much do mahjong classes cost?
Every figure on this page is computed from the 92 mahjong listings on Local Class List — prices published by providers on their own websites, checked October 2026. No estimates, no scraped averages.
Across 73 priced listings: from $0 · typical (median) $25 · up to $225 — plus 24 free classes.
Price breakdown
| Starting price | Classes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 26 | 35% |
| Under $25 | 10 | 13% |
| $25–$50 | 7 | 9% |
| $50–$100 | 21 | 28% |
| $100–$200 | 7 | 9% |
| Over $200 | 2 | 2% |
Cost by format
| Format | Priced classes | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 20 | $10 | $69 | $155 |
| Club | 7 | $10 | $15 | $225 |
| Drop-in | 10 | $8 | $27.50 | $75 |
| Series | 8 | $80 | $140 | $200 |
Cost by city
| City | Classes | From · Typical · Up to | Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA | 4 | — | 1 |
| Chicago, IL | 4 | $55 · $77.50 · $93 | 0 |
| Dallas, TX | 7 | — | 7 |
| Fort Worth, TX | 5 | $100 · $140 · $195 | 0 |
| Houston, TX | 10 | $45 · $70 · $75 | 2 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 3 | $70 · $85 · $155 | 0 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 5 | $65 · $72.50 · $80 | 0 |
| New York City, NY | 9 | $8 · $34 · $60 | 6 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 5 | $10 · $20 · $40 | 0 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 4 | — | 0 |
| Portland, OR | 5 | $25 · $40 · $50 | 0 |
| Raleigh, NC | 4 | $10 · $10 · $75 | 0 |
| San Antonio, TX | 5 | $75 · $157.50 · $225 | 1 |
| San Diego, CA | 3 | — | 2 |
| Seattle, WA | 3 | $15 · $15 · $15 | 2 |
| St. Petersburg, FL | 9 | $12 · $29 · $75 | 2 |
What does one session really cost?
A series fee looks big until you divide it by the sessions. Try it with any class you are considering:
Enter a price and a session count — for reference, the typical mahjong listing here starts at $25.
How to spend less
- Start free. 24 of the mahjong classes listed here are free — mostly community and library programs. The search page can filter to free classes only.
- Compare formats, not just prices. A series fee covers several sessions; divide by the number of sessions before comparing it with a drop-in. The format table above uses starting prices from the listings themselves.
- Book direct. Every listing here links to the provider's own website, where the published price is the price — no marketplace service fees are added on top.
Common questions
Which style of mahjong is taught?
Listings state the style where the organizer publishes it — American mahjong (National Mah Jongg League rules) is the most common in the US, with Hong Kong and Japanese Riichi groups in some cities. Check the class detail page before booking.
How much do mahjong classes cost?
Standing clubs at libraries and community centers are often free, while multi-week beginner series at studios and museums typically run $25–$75 per session or a series fee. Every price shown was published by the organizer on its own website.
Do I need my own mahjong set?
Usually not — classes and clubs provide sets and cards for play. The detail page notes materials where the organizer publishes them.