How much money should I put in a red envelope (hongbao)?
Published: April 23, 2026
Short Answer
It depends on your relationship to the person and the occasion. Always use even numbers — they're considered lucky. 8 is especially good because it sounds like "wealth" in Chinese. Avoid 4 at all costs — it sounds like "death."
For Chinese New Year with younger relatives, 50 to 200 RMB is typical. Close family at a wedding give 500 to 2000 RMB, depending on what you can afford. If you're just a friend attending the wedding, 200 to 500 RMB works in most areas.
Stack of red envelopes for Chinese New Year
Red envelope with lucky money
Deep Dive
The number rules are all about homophones in Chinese — words that sound the same but mean different things. That's why certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky:
- 8 (bā) sounds like "fortune" (fā) — so it's extremely popular
- 4 (sì) sounds like "death" (sǐ) — so you never see 40, 400, or 1400 in red envelopes
- Even numbers in general are considered luckier than odd numbers
The amount also depends on how close you are:
- Kids and younger relatives at Chinese New Year: 50-200 RMB from an adult relative
- Friends at a wedding: 200-500 RMB
- Close family members at a wedding: 500-2000 RMB, depending on your income and local customs
The most important thing? Give what you can afford. Nobody expects you to give more than you're comfortable with.