Moji NinjaHow many kanji are there for each JLPT level?
The JLPT has published no official kanji lists since 2010, so every figure is an estimate. The usual ones are about 100 kanji for N5, 300 for N4, 650 for N3, 1,000 for N2 and 2,000 for N1, counted from the start. This course reaches 104, 284, 679, 1,062 and 2,135 at those levels.
Kanji by level
| Level | Usual estimate (total) | New in this course | Total in this course |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | ~100 | 104 | 104 |
| N4 | ~300 | 180 | 284 |
| N3 | ~650 | 395 | 679 |
| N2 | ~1,000 | 383 | 1,062 |
| N1 | ~2,000 | 1,073 | 2,135 |
The estimates are approximate and differ between sources.
Why there is no official list
Before 2010 the test had four levels and published specifications of which kanji belonged to each. With the five new levels the official lists were dropped: the test checks how you use the language, not whether you know a set list. The lists you find online, this one included, are made by courses.
What the JLPT tests
- It has five levels: N5 is the easiest and N1 the hardest.
- It tests reading and listening with multiple-choice questions. There is no speaking and no handwriting.
- It is held in July and December, and in some cities only once a year.
How this course divides the levels
N5 is the former level 4 plus 田. N4 is the former level 3 less 田. N3 and N2 divide the former level 2: N3 takes the kanji of the first three school years and then the most frequent, and N2 the rest. N1 takes its kanji from the rest of the jōyō list. The division is this course's own.
Frequently asked questions
How many kanji do I need for N5?
About 100. This course has 104.
How many kanji do I need for N1?
The usual estimate is about 2,000. This course goes up to 2,135 kanji, taken from the jōyō list.
Is there an official JLPT kanji list?
No. The JLPT has published no such lists since 2010. Every list is the work of a course, and they differ from each other.
Do I have to write kanji on the JLPT?
No. The test is multiple choice and has no handwriting.
Last updated