JLPT N5 Kanji List: All ~100 Characters You Need to Pass
The JLPT N5 tests around 100 kanji. Here's the full list by theme — numbers, time, people, directions — with the readings each appears with on the exam.
N5 is the first rung of the JLPT, and its kanji are the most useful 100 characters in the language. Master these and you can read dates, prices, signs, and simple sentences.
Numbers and counting
Time and calendar
People and position
Directions, size, basics
Common verbs and actions
How to study the N5 set
- Group by theme (as above), not alphabetically — themed batches stick better.
- Learn each kanji inside an N5 vocabulary word, so you also bank the reading.
- Drill with an SRS for 15 minutes a day; ~100 kanji is very achievable in 6–8 weeks.
- Read N5 graded readers to see the characters in real sentences.
Browse every N5 character with readings and examples in our dictionary, filtered to the N5 level.
Learn kanji the reading-first way
Kanji 360 wraps every character with mnemonics, audio readings, stroke-order animation, and SRS scheduling — free to start on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Related articles
JLPT N2 Kanji List: What's Actually Tested
N2 has no official published kanji list, but commonly-cited estimates put the count around 1,000 characters. Here's what that range covers and how to study it.
JLPT N1 Kanji List: What's Actually Tested
N1 doesn't have an official published kanji list — here's what that means in practice, roughly how many characters to expect, and how to prioritize the last stretch.
December 2026 JLPT: Registration Guide & Key Dates
The December 2026 JLPT sits on Sunday, December 6. Here's when registration opens, what you'll need, and how the process differs inside vs. outside Japan.
Is JLPT N1 Worth It? Who Actually Needs the Top Level
N1 is a huge undertaking — 2,000+ kanji and academic-level reading. Is it worth the effort, or is N2 enough? Here's an honest cost-benefit look.