The mosses of the tropical Andes are examined to determine a conservative estimate of diversity, excluding a significant number of unconfirmed names and dubious reports that have distorted estimates in the past. In this analysis, 1376 species represented by 327 genera and 69 families are recognized. Within this cohort, species endemism for the tropical Andes is estimated at 31%. Regionally, the number of mosses restricted to the northern Andes (321 species) is higher than the number restricted to the central Andes (241 species). Regional endemism exhibits a similar pattern: more endemics in the northern Andes (155 species) than in the central Andes (129 species).