A free online tool for practicing character-based writing systems from languages around the world.
What Is CharacterPractice.com?
CharacterPractice.com is a free, browser-based tool designed to help learners practice writing characters from non-Latin writing systems. Each language section provides an interactive handwriting canvas and quiz modes — everything you need to build confident handwriting skills. Animated stroke order demonstrations are available for Japanese (hiragana, katakana, kanji) and Chinese characters.
The site is built for self-study learners, classroom students, and anyone preparing for language proficiency exams like the JLPT or HSK. No account, login, or download is required — just open the page and start practicing.
Features
- Animated stroke order — Watch each character drawn stroke by stroke at adjustable speeds. Currently available for Japanese (hiragana, katakana, kanji) and Chinese characters.
- Handwriting canvas — Draw characters directly in your browser using a mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen. Practice as many times as you like.
- Quiz mode — Test your recognition and recall with quizzes at your own pace. Choose from multiple-choice or handwriting-based formats depending on the language.
- Organized by level — Characters are grouped by standard curricula (JLPT levels for Japanese, HSK levels for Chinese) so you can study in a structured order.
- Completely free — All features are available at no cost with no account required.
Supported Languages
Additional writing systems, including Arabic and Greek, are planned for future updates.
How to Use
Each language section follows the same workflow:
- Choose a character — Browse the character grid and select the one you want to practice.
- Watch the stroke order — For Japanese and Chinese characters, the animated demonstration shows the correct writing sequence. Replay it as many times as you need.
- Practice on the canvas — Use the handwriting area to draw the character yourself. Clear and retry until you feel confident.
- Test with quizzes — Switch to Quiz mode to test your recognition at your own pace.
Who Is This For?
- Beginners learning their first characters and building foundational handwriting skills
- Intermediate learners expanding their character repertoire and preparing for proficiency exams
- Teachers looking for supplementary material to use during lessons or assign as practice
- Students using the tool alongside textbooks or classroom instruction
- Travelers who want to recognize and write basic characters before visiting a new country
- Anyone curious about how characters from other writing systems are constructed and written
Supported Environments
CharacterPractice runs entirely in the browser. No installation or plugins are required.
| Platform | Supported Browsers |
|---|
| Windows | Chrome, Edge (latest versions) |
| macOS | Safari, Chrome (latest versions) |
| iOS / iPadOS | Safari, Chrome |
| Android | Chrome |
Requirements:
- JavaScript must be enabled
- A modern browser released within the last 2 years
- Touchscreen, mouse, or trackpad for handwriting practice
- No minimum screen resolution — the layout adapts to any screen size
Privacy & Data
CharacterPractice does not require an account or collect personal information. The site uses Google Analytics to understand general usage patterns (page views, device types, geographic regions). No handwriting data or practice progress is transmitted to any server — all practice happens locally in your browser.
Support the Project
CharacterPractice.com is a free, independent project. If you find the tools helpful, we would appreciate your support. You can contribute through Buy Me a Coffee, or simply share the site with friends or classmates.