A field plot experiment was conducted in Taihu Lake region to investigate the effects of urea-ammonium mixed nitrogen fertilizer versus an individual form of urea or ammonium chloride on ammonia volatilization (NH₃), rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice cropping system. Regardless of types of fertilizers, the flux pulse of NH₃ volatilization mainly appeared after N fertilizer applications with a duration of 5–7 days, and its value linearly increased with the increasing ammonium concentrations in the surface water of paddy field. Compared to urea or ammonium chloride, urea-ammonium mixed nitrogen fertilizer significantly reduced the NH₃ emission by 2.71 and 6.41 kg/hm², respectively (P<0.05). Urea-ammonium mixed nitrogen fertilizer also led to the greater rice yields and higher economic benefit than single application of urea or ammonium chloride. The NUE of urea-ammonium mixed nitrogen fertilizer was increased by 10.43% and 10.64% compared with single application of urea and ammonium chloride, respectively. Taking account of NH₃ emission, yield and NUE, the urea-ammonium mixed nitrogen fertilizer should be a promising nitrogen for increasing economic benefits and decreasing the environment risk in Taihu lake region.