← Learn to Write📐
Stroke-order rules
Step 2 of 3 — press play on each example
A handful of rules cover almost every kanji.
- 1
Top to bottom
Write from the top of the character to the bottom.
Loading strokes…Practise 三 → - 2
Left to right
Write from the left side to the right side.
Loading strokes…Practise 川 → - 3
Horizontal before vertical
When strokes cross, the horizontal is usually written before the vertical.
Loading strokes…Practise 十 → - 4
Centre before wings
Draw a central stroke before the smaller strokes on either side.
Loading strokes…Practise 小 → - 5
Outside before inside
Draw the outer enclosure before filling in the inside.
Loading strokes…Practise 日 → - 6
Close the box last
For enclosed shapes, the bottom stroke that seals the box comes last.
Loading strokes…Practise 国 → - 7
Right-to-left diagonal first
A right-to-left diagonal is written before a left-to-right one.
Loading strokes…Practise 人 → - 8
Piercing vertical last
A vertical line that runs through the whole character is written last.
Loading strokes…Practise 中 →