Wedding Planning｜Red Envelope Rates
2026 Taiwan Wedding Red Envelope Guide: Amounts, Etiquette, Taboos
2026 amounts, envelope etiquette, lucky numbers, and taboos — plus a free calculator.
Red envelopes (hongbao) are one of the most stressful small decisions at a Taiwanese wedding. Too little feels rude, too much breaks your budget, and you must avoid unlucky numbers while matching the venue tier. This guide compiles 2026 rates and a clean decision logic, paired with our free Red Envelope Calculator.
2026 Rate Table
Suggested floor amounts for solo attendance (multiply by 1.8–2.0 for plus-ones):
| Venue Tier | Per Table | Friend | Close Friend | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Taipei Hotel | 25,000–35,000 | 3,200 | 3,600 | 6,600 |
| Taipei Mid-range Hall | 18,000–25,000 | 2,200 | 2,600 | 3,600 |
| Central/South Hotel | 13,000–20,000 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 3,200 |
| Casual / Restaurant | 8,000–15,000 | 1,600 | 2,000 | 3,200 |
NT$ (TWD). Compiled from 2026 rate reports by 104, Klook, and Roo.Cash.
The Formula
- Venue baseline: per-table price ÷ 10 (typical seats per table)
- Relationship multiplier: acquaintance 1.0x, close friend 1.3x, family 1.8x
- Plus-one and cookies: plus-one ×2; received Chinese cake +300; western cookie box +800
Round to the nearest lucky number (avoiding 4 and 5). Our calculator automates this.
Lucky Numbers and Taboos
Recommended
1,200・1,600・2,000・2,200・2,600・3,200・3,600・6,000・6,600・8,800・10,000・12,000・16,000・20,000
Avoid
- 4: sounds like “death” — any amount containing 4 (NT$ 400, 4,000) is inappropriate
- 5: sounds like “not” — implies incomplete blessing
- Odd amounts: weddings symbolize pairing, so avoid 1,000, 3,000, 5,000, 7,000 in round-thousand form
Envelope Etiquette
The front usually has 囍 (double happiness) pre-printed. On the back, write:
- Your full name (or the team name if pooled)
- Optional: blessing phrases like “Forever in love,” “Growing old together”
Do not write the amount on the outside.
Common Scenarios
Coworker pooling
5 people × NT$ 1,200 = NT$ 6,000, signed under the department name. The combined amount should look like a respectable single figure.
Cannot attend but want to send
60–80% of the in-person amount is conventional. A close friend you would normally give NT$ 2,600 can receive NT$ 1,600–2,000.
2024 vs 2026 Comparison
- Venue price increases: Taipei hotel tables averaged +NT$ 2,000–3,000 per table
- Inflation pressure: per-guest baseline shifted from NT$ 2,000 to NT$ 2,200–2,500
- Smaller scales: many couples chose 8–12 table micro-weddings — higher per-table spec and per-guest amounts
FAQ
What changed in 2026?
Top-tier Taipei hotel tables rose to NT$ 25,000–35,000, pushing the per-guest baseline from NT$ 2,000 to NT$ 2,200–2,500. Central/South Taiwan saw minor changes.
How much is "the safe amount"?
Per-table price ÷ 10 = the per-person floor. A mid-range Taipei hall at NT$ 20,000/table means at least NT$ 2,000 solo; close friends should start at NT$ 2,600.
How do I write the envelope?
Front: a 囍 (double happiness) character or auspicious phrase. Back: your own name (or department/team name if pooled). Do not write the amount on the outside.
Is NT$ 1,000 a valid amount?
No. Wedding amounts must be even-numbered and avoid 4/5. NT$ 1,000 is even but below market — slightly insulting. NT$ 1,200 is the current floor.
What kind of bills should I use?
Fresh banknotes are traditional. Banks and many ATMs offer crisp bills. If unavailable, clean, neatly arranged bills are acceptable.
Closing
The red envelope is a gesture of care; the number is just one way to express it. When stuck, remember: the floor is “do not make the couple feel you do not value this relationship.” The rest follows your budget and feeling. The calculator helps narrow the range — the final choice is yours.
Use the Red Envelope Calculator to decide in 5 minutes.