What do the JLPT levels N5 to N1 mean?
· Avinash Kumar
Kanji Mnemonics runs on iPhone and iPad. The app is available in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.
The JLPT has five levels. N5 is the easiest and N1 the hardest, and you pick one level when you register. Each level has its own paper, so the test does not place you; it tells you whether you passed the level you chose.
Everything below comes from the official site, jlpt.jp. Kanji counts are a separate question, because the JLPT no longer publishes official kanji lists; I cover the common estimates in how many kanji you need.
What does each level ask of you?
| Level | Official summary (shortened) |
|---|---|
| N5 | Read typical expressions in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji; follow slow, short conversations |
| N4 | Read passages on familiar topics in basic vocabulary and kanji |
| N3 | Read everyday texts with specific content, grasp newspaper headlines |
| N2 | Read clearly written newspaper and magazine articles, follow near-natural speech |
| N1 | Read logically complex or abstract writing such as editorials, follow natural-speed lectures and news |
The site calls N3 “a bridging level” between N4/N5 and N1/N2.
How long are the sections?
| Level | Vocabulary | Grammar and reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|
| N1 | 110 min (combined) | 55 min | |
| N2 | 105 min (combined) | 50 min | |
| N3 | 30 min | 70 min | 40 min |
| N4 | 25 min | 55 min | 35 min |
| N5 | 20 min | 40 min | 30 min |
In 2026 the test runs on Sunday 5 July and Sunday 6 December. Some cities outside Japan hold only one of the two.
How do JLPT levels map to CEFR?
From December 2025, score reports of people who pass show a CEFR level for reference, from A1 to C1. It depends on your total score, not only the level. The FAQ gives examples: an N3 pass with 95 to 103 points shows A2, and 104 or more shows B1. An N2 pass with 90 to 111 shows B1, and 112 or more shows B2.
Where do kanji fit?
Every level has a kanji reading task. How kanji appear on the paper is in how kanji are tested on the JLPT, and the scoring rules are in JLPT pass marks.
Kanji Mnemonics (my app, so weigh my opinion accordingly) covers N5 through N1 with one keyword, one story and one picture per kanji, readings and example words, a flashcard quiz in both directions and progress per level. It works offline. Lesson 1 is free; the rest needs Pro (weekly, monthly or yearly subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase). See the app page, the App Store listing or all my apps.
Questions people ask
- Which JLPT level is the easiest?
- N5 is the easiest and N1 the hardest. The official site describes N4 and N5 as basic Japanese mainly learned in class, and N3 as a bridge between those levels and N1/N2.
- Does the JLPT test speaking or writing?
- No. The official FAQ says the test has no conversation or composition section. It is multiple choice, with four options for most questions and three for some listening questions.
- Do I take one test and get placed into a level?
- No. You register for one level and sit that level's paper. Each level has its own questions.
Kanji Mnemonics
Picture-book mnemonics for every JLPT kanji, N5 to N1, with a Today's Kanji widget.
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