Kanji by JLPT level
Every kanji on this site has its own page: meanings, both readings with romaji, common words that actually use it, and study notes. Start at N5 and work up — lists are ordered by real-world frequency, not stroke count, so you learn the useful ones first.
JLPT N5 — 79 kanji
The first kanji every learner meets — numbers, days, people and places.
JLPT N4 — 166 kanji
Everyday kanji for basic conversations and signs.
JLPT N3 — 367 kanji
The bridge to intermediate japanese — news headlines start making sense.
JLPT N2 — 367 kanji
Upper-intermediate kanji for work, novels and most native content.
JLPT N1 — 1232 kanji
Advanced kanji — the long tail you meet in literature and formal writing.