Greg Tang was born in Ithaca, New York, where his father taught electrical engineering at Cornell University and his mother taught math at Ithaca College. Greg grew up playing games with his two sisters, such as cards and chess, that helped him become adept at using numbers and developing strategies. After graduating from high school, Greg attended Harvard University, where he received both a bachelor's and a master's degree in economics. He later earned a master's degree in math education from New York University.