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Lost Scrabble tiles: replacements and what to do
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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 Hasbro, buy spares, or replace the set.
What are your options?
For one or two missing tiles, play on with a stand-in and ask Hasbro about a spare. If that fails, a pack of lettered tiles or a secondhand 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 Hasbro | A genuine tile that matches | We can't confirm it supplies loose tiles |
| Secondhand spares (eBay, Etsy) | 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 Hasbro send a replacement tile?
It may, but we can't confirm it for loose Scrabble tiles. Hasbro owns the Scrabble brand in the US and Canada, so a standard set bought here is a Hasbro matter. Hasbro's support page for replacement parts says the company is happy to check availability, and asks you to include the product name, the UPC barcode number, and the part you need. Start at Hasbro Consumer Care, or the Canadian page if you are in Canada. Hasbro's pages describe email and phone contact.
If you own the Deluxe Edition, Hasbro's support page says the maroon tiles for that game are no longer available. It also says standard Scrabble tiles will fit the Deluxe game.
Some sets are made by other companies under license. Scrabble to Go comes from Winning Moves, and the Deluxe Travel Edition from WS Game Company, so ask the maker named on your box and not Hasbro.
Where can you buy replacement Scrabble tiles?
Mostly from secondhand sellers and craft-tile packs. These are the routes that turned up when we searched.
- eBay and Etsy. Individual sellers list loose tiles and racks, some pulled from old sets. Check the photos for the color and letter style of your set.
- Amazon. A search for replacement Scrabble tiles returns mostly craft and DIY packs, and many are labeled for crafts. Read the listing for the material, the count, and whether the points are printed on each tile.
This pack has 100 wood letter tiles with letters and numbers printed on them, plus two wooden racks and a cloth bag. The style may not match your originals, but it works as a stopgap.
If your Deluxe tiles are maroon, this 100-tile maroon wood set comes with a card that lists how many of each letter there should be. The listing gives the tile size as 20 by 18 by 4 mm (about 0.8 by 0.7 by 0.16 inches), so compare it with your own tiles.
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?
Wooden racks are sold on Amazon and on Etsy, and some tile packs include two. Compare the length with your old ones before you order, because racks from different makers may not match. The racks in the pack above measure 19 by 1.8 by 2.5 cm according to the listing, which is about 7.5 inches long. Racks in the Deluxe Edition are curved, so a flat rack may not match them.
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 four racks.
The Deluxe Edition is the current step up, with wooden tiles and a rotating board. 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?
Try secondhand spares on eBay and Etsy, or a pack of lettered tiles from Amazon. You can also ask Hasbro Consumer Care about a replacement part, 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 Hasbro replace lost Scrabble tiles?
We could not confirm it. Hasbro says it will check availability of a replacement part if you send the product name, the UPC barcode number, and the part you need, but it makes no promise of a spare tile.
Where can I get replacement Scrabble racks?
Wooden racks are sold on Amazon and Etsy, and some tile packs include two. Check the length and shape against your old racks first.
Related: Tile values · House rules · Which Scrabble set should you buy? · Rules · Score keeper