JLPT Level Guide
Compare every JLPT level from N5 to N1 — kanji, vocabulary, grammar, study hours, and what you need to know.
| N5Foundations | N4Building blocks | N3Confidence | N2Advanced | N1Mastery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanji | 79 | 171 | 367 | 979 | 2,211 |
| Vocabulary | 219 words | 473 words | 935 words | 4,893 words | 10,751 words |
| Study hours | 150–250 hours | 300–400 hours | 450–600 hours | 600–800 hours | 900–1200 hours |
| Practice tests | 20 sets × 20 questions | 20 sets × 20 questions | 20 sets × 20 questions | 20 sets × 20 questions | 20 sets × 20 questions |
| Skill level | The most fundamental Japanese characters — where every learner begins. | Everyday kanji that unlock basic conversations and simple reading. | Upper-intermediate characters bridging daily life and the news. | The kanji of newspapers, workplaces, and serious reading. | The full sweep of literary, academic, and professional Japanese. |
N5→N4→N3→N2→N1→
JLPT N5 — Foundations
The most fundamental Japanese characters — where every learner begins.
79 kanji219 words20 tests
JLPT N4 — Building blocks
Everyday kanji that unlock basic conversations and simple reading.
171 kanji473 words20 tests
JLPT N3 — Confidence
Upper-intermediate characters bridging daily life and the news.
367 kanji935 words20 tests
JLPT N2 — Advanced
The kanji of newspapers, workplaces, and serious reading.
979 kanji4,893 words20 tests
JLPT N1 — Mastery
The full sweep of literary, academic, and professional Japanese.
2,211 kanji10,751 words20 tests