Chinese handwriting practice

How does it check my handwriting?

Each stroke you draw is compared with the line through the middle of the character’s real stroke: where it starts, where it ends, which way it goes and its shape. A stroke that fits is inked in its place; one that doesn’t, or one written out of order, is wiped and counted as a slip.

Why does stroke order matter?

Strokes written in their order make characters faster to write, neater and easier to remember, and handwriting input on phones expects them. Most characters follow the same few rules: top before bottom, left before right, outside before inside, and the closing stroke of a box last.

Trace or from memory?

Trace shows the character in grey to write over, for one you are meeting. From memory shows only its pinyin and meaning, so you recall it the way you will need to when writing.

Can I practise on a phone or tablet?

Yes. Write with your finger or a stylus; a mouse works on a computer. Your writing is checked on this page and never sent.

Keys

N for the next character, H to be shown the next stroke.

More free tools

• Stroke order
• Character worksheets
• Chinese flashcards
• Most common characters
• Chinese radicals