Japanese level test

How the test works

Part 1: words. You see 16 Japanese words, one at a time, and choose the meaning of each. There is an “I don’t know” option: use it instead of guessing. Words from N5 and N4 come with their reading in hiragana, so you are tested on the word and not on its kanji. From N3 up, the words appear as they are normally written.

Part 2: grammar. 12 sentences with a gap and four options: particles, verb forms and sentence patterns. The N5 sentences are written in kana only, with spaces between the words.

The JLPT has not published lists of words or grammar since it was revised in 2010. The levels of our questions follow the lists that teachers and textbooks use, which go back to the earlier official specification.

If you cannot read hiragana yet. You get a shorter check instead: 12 everyday words and phrases written in Latin letters, the way they sound, like the ones people pick up from anime, music and games. It tells you how much Japanese you already know by ear. It does not give a JLPT level, because the JLPT is written in Japanese from N5.

The test adapts as you go: after each answer it picks the next question close to your current estimate, so you spend your time on the questions that say the most about you.

Each word and each question belongs to a level. Your result is the highest level where you know at least half of the words and grammar, which goes together with knowing about 80% of the level below. We chose this rule because it matches the published vocabulary sizes for each CEFR level. The range shows how sure the test can be with this many questions.

What the levels mean

The JLPT is the official Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, with five levels from N5 (the easiest) to N1. The CEFR letters in brackets are the ones the JLPT has shown for reference on its score reports since December 2025; from N3 up, the letter depends on the score.

N5	Beginner (about A1). You understand some basic Japanese: everyday words and set phrases written in hiragana, katakana and the first kanji.
N4	Elementary (about A2). You understand basic Japanese on familiar everyday topics, in simple vocabulary and kanji.
N3	Intermediate (A2 to B1). You understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree, and follow the gist of slightly harder texts.
N2	Upper intermediate (B1 to B2). You understand everyday Japanese well and follow clearly written articles and commentary on general topics.
N1	Advanced (B2 to C1). You understand Japanese in a wide range of situations, including abstract and complex writing. With this few questions the test cannot say how far above N1 you are.

What this test can and cannot tell you

• It measures reading vocabulary and grammar. It does not measure speaking, listening or writing.
• It is short. Expect the result to be right to within one level either way; that is why you get a range.
• The levels of the questions come from published graded lists and syllabuses. The test has not yet been checked against the results of people who took an official exam.
• For an official level, take an exam such as JLPT.

Questions about the test

Sources

• JLPT, summary of linguistic competence required for each level (Japan Foundation and JEES)
• JLPT, CEFR level shown for reference on score reports (from the December 2025 test)