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Red Envelope Calculator
2026 Taiwanese wedding hongbao rates — 4 questions to find an appropriate amount
Per-table price directly sets the baseline for the red envelope
The closer the relationship, the higher the baseline
Traditionally, bride-side guests who receive wedding cookies bump up the hongbao slightly to cover the cookie cost
RESULT
Suggested Red Envelope Amount
This is a suggested amount. Adjust based on your personal budget and how close you are to the couple. Numbers are auto-rounded to lucky figures (avoiding 4 and 5).
FAQ
Why avoid 4 and 5?
In Mandarin, '4' sounds like 'death' and '5' sounds like 'not' — both unlucky. Traditional red envelope amounts use 1200, 1600, 2000, 2200, 2600, 3200, 3600, 6000, 6600, 8800, 10000. This calculator auto-rounds to the nearest lucky number.
How much for a plus-one?
Generally per-head: solo follows the per-seat baseline; two people roughly double it. For close friends bringing their spouse, the combined amount is often a touch lower than 'two singles' as a gesture of intimacy.
What if I cannot attend?
Lower amounts are fine when you skip — you do not occupy a seat or eat. Convention is 60–80% of the in-person amount; what matters is the blessing.
Can coworkers pool a single envelope?
Yes — group envelopes are common at workplaces. Sum each person's share to a clean number (e.g., 5 × 1,200 = 6,000) and sign under the department name. The total should look respectable as one figure.
Do I still give a gift after the envelope?
The envelope alone is usually enough; a gift is bonus. For extra-close relationships you might add a small token (handwritten card, home item) — but the financial intent is already in the envelope. If you give a gift instead of an envelope, value it at least equal to the standard red envelope amount.
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Want the full 2026 hongbao guide — regional differences, taboos, how to write the envelope?
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