The best free tools to learn Chinese handwriting and stroke order (2026)
Writing a character by hand is the surest way to remember it. These six show you the strokes, check yours, or give you sheets to fill.
We make Mandarin The Wild. Everything we say about the other tools comes from their own pages, with each source listed below.
The list at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mandarin The Wild | Each stroke checked as you write, stroke-order animations and printable sheets | Free, no sign-up |
| 2. Hanzi Writer | Stroke animations and quizzes, as an open-source library for your own pages | Free and open source1 |
| 3. Arch Chinese | Worksheets of every kind for teachers | Free tools, with paid features2 |
| 4. Written Chinese | Looking up a character’s strokes in a dictionary | Free3 |
| 5. HelloChinese | Writing practice inside a beginner course | Free lessons, with a paid plan5 |
| 6. Skritter | Daily writing from memory, with spaced repetition | From $14.99 a month after a 7-day trial6 |
1. Mandarin The Wild
We make it, so judge this one hardest. In handwriting practice you write a character stroke by stroke; a stroke that fits is inked in its place, and one in the wrong shape, direction or order is wiped and counted. Trace first, then write from memory. Beside it:
- Stroke order. Over 9,000 characters drawn stroke by stroke, each step numbered.
- Worksheet maker. Type any characters and print a sheet: each with its pinyin, meaning and strokes, faded copies to trace, then empty boxes.
- Handwriting input. Draw a character you can’t type to find out what it is.
我每天花十分钟练习写字。
to write; to write characters
Also written 寫字
2. Hanzi Writer
A free, open-source JavaScript library that animates stroke order and quizzes your strokes, which many other sites build on. Its own site lets you try any character.1
3. Arch Chinese
A teacher’s toolbox: character and word worksheets, stroke-sequence sheets, flashcards, games and quiz makers.2
4. Written Chinese
A dictionary and learning site that shows how each character is written, alongside its meaning and words.3
5. HelloChinese
A beginner course app with handwriting practice built into its lessons.4 Is HelloChinese worth it?
6. Skritter
The specialist for writing practice: it asks you to write each character from memory and schedules reviews. Plans start at $14.99 a month, less by the year, after a 7-day trial.6
How to choose
- Order matters. Strokes in their order are faster, neater and easier to remember, and handwriting input on a phone expects them.
- From memory beats tracing. Trace a character a few times, then write it with nothing to copy: that is what makes it stay.
- Write the words you read. Characters you meet in your own reading are the ones worth the effort.
Questions
What is the best free app to learn Chinese handwriting?
Mandarin The Wild’s handwriting practice checks every stroke you write for shape, direction and order, free in the browser with no sign-up, with stroke-order animations and printable worksheets beside it. Skritter is the paid specialist.
Where can I see the stroke order of a Chinese character?
Mandarin The Wild’s stroke order page animates over 9,000 characters with each step numbered. Hanzi Writer and Written Chinese show stroke order too.
Where can I print Chinese writing practice sheets?
Mandarin The Wild’s worksheet maker prints a sheet for any characters you type, with stroke order and tracing boxes, free. Arch Chinese has many worksheet types for teachers.
Is Skritter worth it?
If you want a daily habit of writing from memory with spaced repetition and will pay for it, yes. For free stroke checking, stroke order and worksheets, start with Mandarin The Wild.
Sources
Checked on 26 October 2026. Prices and features change; tell us if one has.