JLPT
JLPT N1 Kanji — the deepest step.
The JLPT N1 is the highest JLPT level — advanced Japanese fluency, near-native reading, and academic/literary comprehension. The kanji portion covers roughly 2,000 cumulative characters. Here's what to expect and how long it takes.
N1≈2,000 kanji · ≈10,000 vocab · ≈1,500–2,500 study hours
A taste of the N1 set
A representative sample of N1 kanji. Unlocked with Premium.
哲
概
倫
義
徳
宗
釈
致
悟
諭
弁
詳
詠
喚
唱
唆
矛
諾
訴
慨
影
響
徴
紋
模
範
縁
派
系
衝
詩
句
韻
暦
序
漫
翻
寿
寡
漠
慎
慮
憂
懸
憶
慰
嘆
哀
寛
厳
What N1 actually covers
~2,000 kanji cumulative
Adds ~1,000 over N2: philosophical, literary, rare-use, and rhetorical vocabulary. Includes archaic and figurative usage.
~10,000 vocabulary words
Vocabulary at the level of literary fiction, op-eds, academic monographs, and formal speeches.
Near-native reading and listening
Read novels and editorials, follow lectures and debates, and write formal essays. The threshold for professional translators.
How long it takes & what you need
Most learners reach N1 readiness in 1,500–2,500 of total study time from zero, including vocabulary, grammar, and listening. The kanji portion alone, at the standard 3–10 new-per-day pace, runs from 12 to 24 months, plus review time.
In KanjiKanji Modern, N1 content is included in the Premium tier. Unlock all levels with a Premium subscription — $9.99/mo, $79.99/yr, or $99.99 lifetime.
The JLPT has not published an official kanji list since the 2010 redesign. Counts cited here follow community-curated approximations from JLPT preparation textbooks (Genki, Minna no Nihongo, Tofugu) and analyses of past exams.
← Previous: N2
See also: Pricing · What is spaced repetition?