The 1887 New South Wales colonial election was for 124 members representing 74 electoral districts. The election was conducted on the basis of a simple majority or first-past-the-post voting system. In this election there were 35 multi-member districts returning 87 members and 37 single member districts giving a total of 124 members. In the multi-member districts each elector could vote for as many candidates as there were vacancies. 13 districts were uncontested. This was the first election at which there were recognisable political parties. The average number of enrolled voters per seat was 1,984, ranging from Boorowa (1,103) to Canterbury (3,161).