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Free Online Japanese Kanji Dictionary
Look up kanji readings, meanings, and stroke orders from our database of 50,000+ words, 2,136 Joyo kanji, and 160,000+ Japanese names. Get pronunciation in hiragana and romaji, on'yomi and kun'yomi readings, JLPT levels, and more.
How to Look Up Kanji
Search by Text
Enter any kanji character, Japanese word, or English word in the search box above. You'll get readings, meanings, stroke count, and JLPT level.
Search by Handwriting
Don't know how to type it? Draw kanji with your mouse or finger and our handwriting recognition will identify it.
Browse by Stroke Order
View animated stroke order for all 2,136 Joyo kanji. Filter by stroke count from 1 to 33 strokes.
Browse by JLPT Level
Study kanji by JLPT level from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). Also browse by 214 radicals.
Kanji Quick Reference
JLPT Kanji
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FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up kanji readings?
Enter any kanji character or Japanese word in the search box. The dictionary will show you the reading in hiragana and romaji (alphabetic) pronunciation.
Can I search kanji by handwriting?
Yes! Use our Handwriting Recognition feature to draw kanji characters with your mouse or finger. The system will identify matching kanji and show their readings.
How do I learn kanji stroke order?
Search for any kanji and click on 'Stroke Order' to see animated demonstrations of the correct writing sequence. You can also browse kanji by stroke count.
Is this dictionary free to use?
Yes, this Japanese Kanji Dictionary is completely free. You can look up unlimited kanji readings, meanings, and stroke orders without any registration.
What is the difference between On'yomi and Kun'yomi?
On'yomi is the Chinese-derived reading of a kanji, typically used in compound words (jukugo). Kun'yomi is the native Japanese reading, often used when a kanji stands alone or with okurigana (hiragana suffixes). For example, the kanji 山 has the on'yomi "サン" (as in 富士山 Fujisan) and the kun'yomi "やま" (mountain).
How many kanji do I need to know for JLPT?
JLPT N5 requires about 80 kanji, N4 about 250 total, N3 about 620, N2 about 1,000, and N1 about 2,000+ kanji. You can browse kanji by JLPT level on this site to study systematically.
What are radicals and how do they help?
Radicals (bushu) are the building blocks of kanji characters. There are 214 traditional radicals. Knowing radicals helps you guess the meaning or pronunciation of unfamiliar kanji, and makes it easier to look up kanji in dictionaries. Browse all 214 radicals.