Complete reference for all 6 HSK levels – character counts, proficiency requirements, and study tips.
HSK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì / 汉语水平考试) is the international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency for non-native Chinese speakers. It's recognized by universities, employers, and government agencies worldwide.
HSK consists of 6 levels, from HSK 1 (beginner) to HSK 6 (fluent/native). Each level corresponds to specific character counts, vocabulary sizes, and language skills.
Here's a summary of character count requirements for each HSK level:
| HSK Level | Character Count | Vocabulary | Proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 150 | 150 words | Beginner |
| HSK 2 | 300 | 300 words | Basic |
| HSK 3 | 600 | 600 words | Elementary |
| HSK 4 | 1,200 | 1,200 words | Intermediate |
| HSK 5 | 2,500 | 2,500 words | Advanced |
| 5,000+ | 5,000+ words | Fluent / Native |
Character count: 150 characters
Skills: Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of concrete needs.
Example: Greetings, numbers, basic personal information (name, age, nationality).
Character count: 300 characters
Skills: Can communicate in simple routine tasks on familiar topics. Can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions.
Example: Shopping, ordering food, asking for directions, simple conversations.
Character count: 600 characters
Skills: Can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in daily life, study, and work. Can deal with most communication tasks when traveling in China.
Example: Work conversations, reading simple texts, writing short messages.
Character count: 1,200 characters
Skills: Can discuss a wide range of topics relating to life, work, study, and politics. Can interact with a degree of fluency that makes regular communication with native speakers possible.
Example: Business meetings, academic discussions, reading newspapers.
Character count: 2,500 characters
Skills: Can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films and TV shows, can write essays and give speeches on a wide range of topics.
Example: Academic research, professional writing, complex negotiations.
Character count: 5,000+ characters
Skills: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstruct arguments, and present them in a coherent way.
Example: Literary analysis, legal documents, professional translation, academic publication.
Start with the most common characters. The first 500 characters cover about 80% of everyday Chinese text. Use spaced repetition systems (SRS) like Anki or Pleco.
Read Chinese texts at your level. Start with graded readers, then move to news articles, blogs, and literature. Use our character counter to check text difficulty.
Use our Hanzi Test every 2-4 weeks to track your progress. See which HSK level you're currently at and focus on filling the gaps.
HSK tests all four skills. Watch Chinese videos, listen to podcasts, and practice speaking with native speakers or language exchange partners.
Familiarize yourself with the HSK exam structure: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing sections. Take mock exams under timed conditions.
Take our free Hanzi Test to instantly estimate your current Chinese character count and HSK level.