The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the most widely recognised Japanese language exam, with five levels from N5 to N1.

How many kanji do you need for each JLPT level?

N5 needs about 100 kanji, N4 about 300, N3 about 650, N2 around 1,000 and N1 around 2,000.

JLPT Levels Explained (N5 to N1) | Step Ahead Japanese

What is the JLPT?

The JLPT measures language knowledge (vocabulary, grammar, reading) and listening. Officially there are no fixed word or kanji lists, but study guides estimate the ranges below.

N5 — Beginner

Kanji: ~100 · Vocabulary: ~800 · Study time: 3–6 months

Hiragana, katakana, basic particles, polite sentences.

Study N5 grammar topics

N4 — Elementary

Kanji: ~300 · Vocabulary: ~1,500 · Study time: 6–12 months

Te-form, potential and conditional, everyday keigo.

Study N4 grammar topics

N3 — Intermediate

Kanji: ~650 · Vocabulary: ~3,750 · Study time: 1–2 years

Inference, hearsay and connective patterns; newspaper headlines.

Study N3 grammar topics

N2 — Upper Intermediate

Kanji: ~1,000 · Vocabulary: ~6,000 · Study time: 1–2 years

Newspaper articles, TV news and structured writing.

Study N2 grammar topics

N1 — Advanced

Kanji: ~2,000 · Vocabulary: ~10,000 · Study time: 1–2 years

Novels, editorials, academic text and business Japanese.

Study N1 grammar topics

How to pass the JLPT

Learn hiragana and katakana until automatic.
Work through grammar topics level by level.
Build vocabulary daily with spaced repetition.
Learn the kanji for your level.
Practise under timed conditions before the exam.