Read Chinese,
one HSK level at a time.

How Xuehao works

Xuehao is a free, browser-based way to learn Chinese characters. There’s no account, no install and no paywall. Pick a standard (HSK 3.0 or HSK 2.0) and a level, then study in one of five modes: Study to flip through cards, Quiz for multiple choice, Type to recall pinyin or meanings from memory, Match to pair characters with answers, and Review for the whole level at a glance.

Every character also has a stroke order page where you can watch it animate and trace it yourself, and every level has printable charts and practice sheets for paper practice.

Start with HSK 1

HSK 3.0 organises the 3,000 most useful characters into levels you can work through in order. Each level has its own flashcard deck, word list and stroke order chart:

• HSK 1: 300 characters, 506 words, stroke order. Your first characters: greetings, numbers, time, family and daily basics.
• HSK 2: 300 characters, 750 words, stroke order. Simple daily exchanges: shopping, directions, routines and short messages.
• HSK 3: 300 characters, 953 words, stroke order. The end of the elementary band: most everyday situations in simple sentences.
• HSK 4: 300 characters, 972 words, stroke order. Intermediate Chinese: familiar topics in conversation and simple articles.
• HSK 5: 300 characters, 1,059 words, stroke order. Upper intermediate: news-style vocabulary, opinions and longer texts.
• HSK 6: 300 characters, 1,123 words, stroke order. The end of the intermediate band: abstract topics and most general texts.
• HSK 7–9: 1,200 characters, 5,606 words, stroke order. The advanced band: 1,200 more characters for academic, professional and literary Chinese.

Studying from an older textbook? The HSK 2.0 levels are here too.