The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is the official Japanese proficiency exam. One of the most common questions is: how many kanji do I need to learn for each level? Here's the complete guide.
JLPT Levels Overview
| Level | Kanji Required | Vocabulary | Study Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | ~100 | ~800 | 150-250 |
| N4 | ~300 | ~1,500 | 300-600 |
| N3 | ~650 | ~3,750 | 450-900 |
| N2 | ~1,000 | ~6,000 | 600-1,200 |
| N1 | ~2,000 | ~10,000 | 900-1,800 |
JLPT N5: The First Step
Level N5 requires about 100 kanji. These are the most fundamental characters: numbers (一、二、三), days of the week (月、火、水), basic concepts (人、山、川). With these kanji you can read about 30% of simple Japanese texts.
N5 Kanji Examples
日 (day/sun), 本 (book/origin), 人 (person), 大 (big), 小 (small), 中 (center), 上 (above), 下 (below), 年 (year), 月 (month/moon)
JLPT N4: Elementary Level
For N4 you need about 300 total kanji (200 more than N5). At this level you learn kanji for daily actions, common adjectives and more specific vocabulary. You can understand basic conversations and simple texts.
JLPT N3: Intermediate Level
N3 requires about 650 kanji. This is the turning point: with this level you can read manga, simplified news and communicate in everyday situations. It's also the minimum level required by many Japanese companies.
JLPT N2: Advanced Level
With about 1,000 kanji, N2 allows you to read newspapers and understand TV programs. It's the level required to work in Japan in most sectors and to attend Japanese universities.
JLPT N1: Mastery
The highest level requires about 2,000 kanji. With N1 you can read literature, technical documents and understand complex discussions. It's the level required for high-level professional positions.
Recommended Study Strategy
- Start with N5 and build a solid foundation
- Don't skip levels: each level builds on the previous
- Use spaced repetition to avoid forgetting
- Study kanji in the context of words
- Practice with mock exams
How Long Does It Take?
With 30 minutes of consistent daily study: N5 in 3-4 months, N4 in 6-8 months, N3 in 1-1.5 years. N2 and N1 generally require 2-4 years of dedicated study.
