Free katakana writing practice online with animated stroke order and a handwriting canvas. All 46 basic characters plus dakuten, handakuten, and combination characters. No login required.
Character
あ
a
Examples
Writing practice
あ
あ
あ
あ
Write the character 3 times. The faint guide is behind each box.
Katakana is used in Japanese for foreign loanwords, names, onomatopoeia, and emphasis. This free katakana writing practice tool helps you master all 46 basic characters with stroke order animations and an interactive canvas. Each character includes romanization, pronunciation tips, and example words. Katakana characters are more angular than hiragana, which means correct stroke order is especially visible. Practicing katakana writing online with proper stroke sequences helps you distinguish similar-looking pairs like シ (shi) and ツ (tsu), or ソ (so) and ン (n). Learn more in our guide to hiragana vs katakana differences and why stroke order matters for kana writing.
How many katakana characters are there?
There are 46 basic katakana characters, the same count as hiragana. With dakuten (voiced) and handakuten (semi-voiced) variations, there are 71. Including combination characters (yōon), the full set totals 104.
When is katakana used instead of hiragana?
Katakana is used for foreign loanwords (e.g., コーヒー for "coffee"), foreign names, onomatopoeia, scientific terms, and for emphasis — similar to using italics or bold in English.
Should I learn hiragana or katakana first?
Most learners start with hiragana because it is used more frequently in everyday Japanese. Once you are comfortable with hiragana, katakana is easier to pick up since it represents the same sounds.
Why does katakana look more angular than hiragana?
Katakana characters were derived from parts of kanji characters and have a more angular, simplified appearance. Hiragana was developed from cursive-style kanji, giving it rounder, more flowing shapes.
Do I need to learn stroke order for katakana?
Yes. Correct stroke order makes your writing more natural and consistent. It also helps with recognition and builds good habits for learning kanji, which follows the same stroke order principles.
What is the best way to practice katakana writing online?
Focus on stroke order first — watch the animation, then write each character on the canvas. Pay special attention to easily confused pairs like シ/ツ and ソ/ン, which differ mainly in stroke direction. Practice 5–10 new characters per day and review previous ones. Since katakana is used for loanwords, try reading English words written in katakana to reinforce your recognition.
Can I use this in my class?
Yes, you may use it for educational purposes. However, please refrain from copying, modifying, or redistributing it (including reposting or hosting mirror sites).