Score the Board › Scrabble guides · Updated
Lost Scrabble tiles: replacements and what to do
Independent picks: nobody pays to be listed. Amazon links are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
You can usually fill a gap in a Scrabble set, but rarely with an exact match. Work out what is missing, play on with a stand-in, then decide whether to ask the maker, buy spares, or replace the set.
What are your options?
For one or two missing tiles, play on with a stand-in and ask the maker for a spare. If that fails, a pack of lettered tiles or a second-hand spare fills the gap. A new set makes sense once several tiles or the board are gone.
| Option | Best for | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-in tile | One or two tiles, tonight | Not a real tile, and it has to be agreed first |
| Ask Mattel UK | A genuine tile that matches | We can't confirm it supplies loose tiles |
| Second-hand spares (eBay UK, Etsy UK) | Single tiles and racks from old sets | Condition and match vary from seller to seller |
| Lettered tile pack | Several tiles missing | Will not match your original tiles |
| Replacement racks | Lost or broken racks | May differ from your originals |
| New set | Many missing parts, or a worn board | You end up with a second set |
How do you find out which tiles are missing?
Sort every tile into letter piles and compare them with the tile values and distribution table. A standard English set has 100 tiles: 98 letters and 2 blanks.
Check the pouch, the box corners, under the board, and under the sofa cushions before you give up. Then count the piles. Single-copy tiles (J, K, Q, X, and Z) are quick to check. Common letters are easier to miss: there are 12 Es, and 9 each of A and I. Super Scrabble has 200 tiles, so these counts do not apply to it. See our Super Scrabble page for how that game differs.
Can you play on with a missing tile?
Yes, if everyone agrees how before the first draw. The scoring works the same with fewer tiles. Only the mix of letters changes.
- Play without it. The simplest fix for a common letter such as an E, S, or T. The game still works.
- Make a stand-in. Cut a small square of card, write the letter and its points on it, and keep it in the bag. Take the points from the table on our tile values page.
- Treat a missing blank as the bigger loss. A blank can be any letter, so you may want to give each player a free exchange to make up for it. Ideas like this are on our house rules page.
The official rules say no tile may be replaced after it has been played and scored, and a played blank keeps its letter for the rest of the game. A stand-in follows the same rule. Keep score in our free score keeper, and see how Scrabble scoring works if a stand-in lands on a premium square.
Will the maker send a replacement tile?
It may, but we can't confirm it. Outside the US and Canada, SCRABBLE belongs to Mattel, so a set bought in Britain is a Mattel matter. Hasbro owns the brand in the US and Canada, and its support pages do not apply to a UK set.
Mattel's UK contact page lists a missing parts route under warranty services. Start at Mattel UK contact, or the Mattel UK and Ireland support page. Have the product name and the barcode number to hand. Hasbro's US support page asks for both when you request a part.
If you own a Hasbro Deluxe Scrabble set, note that Hasbro's US support page says the maroon tiles for that game are no longer available. It also says standard Scrabble tiles will fit the Deluxe game.
Where can you buy replacement Scrabble tiles in the UK?
Mostly from second-hand sellers and craft-tile packs. These are the two routes that turned up when we searched.
- eBay UK and Etsy UK. Individual sellers list loose tiles and racks, some pulled from old sets. Check the photos for the colour and letter style of your set.
- Amazon UK. A search for replacement Scrabble tiles returns mostly craft and DIY packs, and many are labelled for crafts. Read the listing for the material, the count, and whether the points are printed on each tile.
This pack has 100 ivory tiles with letters and numbers. The style may not match your originals, but it works as a stopgap.
Plain craft tiles with no numbers are a poor fit, because players need the point value on every tile.
What if you have lost a rack?
Buy a pack of replacement racks. This pack holds four 19 cm racks, which matches the four racks in a standard Scrabble box. Compare the length with your old ones before you order, because racks from different makers may not match.
When is a new set the better buy?
A new set is the better buy when many tiles are missing, when you have lost the board too, or when you would rather have everything matching. The Classic set comes with a board, 100 tiles, and 4 racks.
The Mattel wood tile set is another current option. Our guide to Scrabble sets compares them.
How do you stop it happening again?
Count the tiles back into the pouch at the end of every game. A full set is 100, so a short count tells you straight away that a tile is under the table. Keep the racks in the box as well. Our rules guide covers setup if you need a refresher.
Common questions
Where can I buy replacement Scrabble tiles in the UK?
Try second-hand spares on eBay UK and Etsy UK, or a pack of lettered tiles from Amazon UK. You can also ask Mattel UK through its missing parts route, though we can't confirm it supplies loose tiles.
Can I play Scrabble if I am missing a tile?
Yes. Agree a stand-in or play without it before the game starts. The scoring works the same and only the mix of letters changes.
What can I use instead of a missing Scrabble tile?
A small square of card marked with the letter and its points works well. Keep it in the bag and score it at the value shown on our tile values page.
How many tiles should a Scrabble set have?
A standard English set has 100 tiles: 98 letters and 2 blanks. Super Scrabble has 200, with 196 letters and 4 blanks.
Can you replace a blank tile with the real letter?
Not under the official rules. Once a blank is played it keeps its letter, and no tile may be replaced after it is played and scored. Some families allow it as a house rule, and our house rules page explains how.
Does Mattel replace lost Scrabble tiles in the UK?
We could not confirm it. Mattel's UK contact page lists a missing parts route, so it is worth asking, but there is no promise of a spare tile.
Where can I get replacement Scrabble racks?
A pack of four replacement wooden racks, 19 cm, is available through Amazon UK. Check the length against your old racks first.
Related: Tile values · House rules · Which Scrabble set should you buy? · Rules · Score keeper