HSK study calculator: how long to reach your level
HSK 3 to HSK 5 at 15 new words a day
172 days
Words to learn
2,571 new words (3,562 for HSK 5, minus the 991 you know)
In weeks
About 25 weeks
Finish date if you start today
1 April 2027
This counts new words only. Review time, listening and speaking are extra.
GraphChinese orders every word and grammar point for your target level, schedules the reviews, and starts from what you already know. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Find your starting pointWords at every HSK 3.0 level
| Level | Total words | New at this level | Days from the level below, 10 a day | Days from zero, 10 a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 302 | 302 | 31 | 31 |
| HSK 2 | 500 | 198 | 20 | 50 |
| HSK 3 | 991 | 491 | 50 | 100 |
| HSK 4 | 1,982 | 991 | 100 | 199 |
| HSK 5 | 3,562 | 1,580 | 158 | 357 |
| HSK 6 | 5,340 | 1,778 | 178 | 534 |
| HSK 7-9 | 10,902 | 5,562 | 557 | 1,091 |
The totals are cumulative. HSK 4 is 1,982 words including the 991 from HSK 1 to 3. The counts come from the HSK 3.0 standard, which is explained in the new HSK.
How the number is worked out
- Words left. The total for your target level minus the total for your current level.
- Days. Words left divided by your daily pace, rounded up.
- Finish date. Today plus that many days, studying every day.
What the number leaves out
- Review. A word met once is forgotten within days. Each one needs several spaced reviews, and the review pile grows as you add words.
- Listening and speaking. Knowing a word on a card is not the same as catching it at speed or saying it in a sentence.
- Characters and grammar. Each level also has its own character list and grammar points.
- Days off. The date assumes you never miss a day.
For a plan that covers all of it, see how to prepare for an HSK level and how long it takes to learn Chinese.
Frequently asked questions
How many words does each HSK level need?
Under the HSK 3.0 standard the running totals are 302 words at HSK 1, 500 at HSK 2, 991 at HSK 3, 1,982 at HSK 4, 3,562 at HSK 5, 5,340 at HSK 6 and 10,902 for HSK 7-9. Each level includes every word from the levels below it.
How long does it take to reach HSK 4 from zero?
HSK 4 needs 1,982 words. At 10 new words a day that is 199 days, about 29 weeks. At 20 a day it is 100 days. That covers new words only. Review, listening and speaking practice come on top.
Is this the whole study time?
No. The calculator counts the days needed to meet each new word once. Every word you learn has to be reviewed several times before it stays, and the exam also tests listening and reading speed. Treat the result as the shortest possible time.
How many new words a day is realistic?
Choose a pace you can keep every day, because each new word comes back as reviews in the days after. 10 a day is steady for most people with a job. 20 to 30 a day is a full-time pace.
Why are these numbers different from the old HSK word lists?
The old six-level HSK asked for 150, 300, 600, 1,200, 2,500 and 5,000 words. The HSK 3.0 standard raised every level and added the HSK 7-9 band. See the two side by side.