One of the quiet strengths of mahjong solitaire is how it handles time and scoring: it tracks your personal best without ever pressuring you. The timer is always running, but there is no countdown and no game-over. This guide explains how the timer works, how your best score is stored, and what happens when you beat a record. Pair it with our scoring guide for the full picture.
How the Timer Works
The timer starts the moment the board loads and stops when the last tile is removed. It runs continuously, including while you think, use Hints, or Shuffle. There is no pause button in standard play; if you walk away, the timer keeps going. For that reason, most players treat a clear as a single sitting rather than something to come back to.
How Your Best Score Is Stored
Your best time on each layout is saved in your browser’s local storage. It is not tied to an account, and it never leaves your device. Clear your browser data and the record resets. The storage is per-layout, so a fast Turtle time and a fast Butterfly time are tracked separately.
Beating Your Record
When you finish a game faster than your stored best, the game flags a new record immediately. There is no leaderboard and no comparison to other players; the only target is your own previous time. For tips on dropping that time, see our strategy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a countdown timer?
No. The timer only counts up. You can never run out of time.
Can I pause the timer?
Not in standard play. Treat each game as a single sitting.
Ready to chase a record? Open the Turtle layout and try to beat your best time.