New HSK 1 characters (HSK 3.0)

By Carson 木林森 · October 2026 · Updated October 2026

HSK 3.0 adds 246 characters at level 1, which brings the total to 246. The new standard lists its characters level by level. Its handwriting list has no entries at this level: at this stage characters only need to be recognised.

Other levels: HSK 2 · HSK 3 · HSK 4 · HSK 5 · HSK 6 · HSK 7-9 · everything on HSK 3.0.

All 246 characters

Pinyin is each character's primary reading; many characters have more than one, and the dictionary entry behind each link gives them all. How characters are built from a small set of parts is measured in Chinese character components, and how many you need to read real text in how many characters you need.

Do you already know HSK 1? The free HSK 1 test is 20 questions on this level's own HSK 3.0 words, scored on the page with no signup.

Frequently asked questions

How many characters are in the new HSK 1?

HSK 3.0 adds 246 characters at level 1, for 246 in total. The new standard publishes an explicit character list for every level.

Do I have to handwrite characters for HSK 1?

The standard's handwriting list has no characters at level 1. Handwriting requirements start at level 2 in the list this site holds, and recognition is asked of far more characters than handwriting is.

What is the difference between the character list and the word list?

The character list counts single characters you must recognise; the word list counts words built from them. A level can add few new characters and many new words, because new words are often made of characters you already know. The HSK 1 word list.

Related guides: HSK 3.0, complete · Free HSK 1 test · HSK placement test · New HSK 1 word list · New HSK 1 grammar · HSK 3.0 exam date