Learn to write Chinese characters.

Learn every part of a character

Its meaning, how it's read, its tone and how it's written. Choose the parts you practise; each one comes back on its own schedule.

1. Meaning. See the character, recall what it means, then tap to check.
2. Reading. Recall how it's read in pinyin, then check it.
3. Tone. Draw the tone on the pad, or tap one of the five tone keys.
4. Writing. Trace it, trace it on top, then write it from memory. Every stroke is checked as you write. (Trace, Trace on top, From memory)

Spaced repetition brings it back right before you'd forget it

Each time you remember a character, it waits longer before it comes back. Miss it and it returns sooner. For example, a character you remember every time comes back after 2 days, then 11, 46 and 163 days; miss it and it is back in 10 minutes, then after 2, 5, 12 days.

Every character the 2025 HSK asks you to write

The 2025 HSK lists 1,200 characters to write by hand, in six levels, and 1,940 characters to read for HSK 1–6. Stroke order is there for 9,565 characters, Simplified and Traditional, so your own lists can hold any of them.

• HSK 1–2: 100 characters
• HSK 3: 150 characters
• HSK 4: 150 characters
• HSK 5: 150 characters
• HSK 6: 150 characters
• HSK 7–9: 500 characters

Free, with a SayMei account

Every HSK list and the lists you make, practice for meaning, reading, tone and writing, every review, your progress and your streak are free. The account saves your characters and reviews and keeps your devices in step. SayMei is paid for by live lessons with Mei Lin. Prefer paper? Print the free HSK handwriting worksheets.

Frequently asked questions

Is SayMei Characters free?

Yes. Every list, all the practice (meaning, reading, tone and writing), every review and your progress are free with a SayMei account. No card is needed, and there is no daily limit on reviews.

Simplified or Traditional?

Both. Characters uses the script you picked in your SayMei profile, and you can switch it for Characters alone in its settings. Stroke order follows the mainland standard, so in Taiwan a few Traditional characters are written in a slightly different order.

Do I need an account?

You can try the writing pad on this page without one: trace a character, then write it from memory. A free account saves the characters you learn and your reviews, so they come back on schedule on your phone, tablet or computer.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. SayMei Characters runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers, with nothing to install. Write with your finger, a stylus or a mouse, and carry on from any device you sign in on.

Which characters can I learn?

Start with the Picture path: 63 simple characters, each with a character picture, then every HSK 1–6 character, unit by unit. Or pick a 2025 HSK list: the 1,200 characters you need to write by hand, in six levels from HSK 1–2 to HSK 7–9, or the 1,940 characters to read for HSK 1–6. You can also make your own lists.

How are reviews scheduled?

With spaced repetition. Each time you remember a character, it waits longer before it comes back, for example 2 days, then 11, then 46. Miss it and it comes back sooner. Meaning, reading, tone and writing each keep their own schedule. Before a review you choose which parts to practise, how many characters, and how many times to write each one; only the first time counts toward the schedule.

What happens when I get a stroke wrong?

It doesn't count: the pad shows you where that stroke goes, and you try it again. A hint shows you the next stroke whenever you want one. Your grade comes from what you remembered, not how neat it looks: no misses or hints is Good, and a miss or a hint makes it Hard. After three misses, or if you ask to see it, the pad shows you the whole character; that counts as Forgot, so it comes back sooner. You can change any grade.

Can I make my own lists?

Yes. Type or paste characters or words, from a textbook, a song or your name, and the dictionary fills in the pinyin and meaning. You write each character, and words get meaning practice too. Star any character from its info sheet to keep it in Starred.

Can I practise on paper?

Yes. Print the free HSK handwriting worksheets, or turn on Write on paper in Characters settings: write the character with a pen, reveal it, then grade yourself. Free HSK handwriting worksheets.

How is this different from SayMei flashcards?

Flashcards are for vocabulary: you see a word and recall its meaning and sound. Characters is for each character itself: writing it by hand, with its meaning, reading and tone alongside. Characters has no daily limit, while free flashcards have a daily word allowance. SayMei flashcards.