# Kanji Lookup

> Draw Kanji characters to instantly find their meaning and pronunciation. (iPhone/iPad app by telethon k.k..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-lookup/id973780102 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [telethon k.k.](https://appshunter.io/developer/699508003)
- Category: Reference, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 3,025 App Store ratings · 90 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 143 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany), Japanese
- Released: 2015-03-16
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-lookup/id973780102/reviews.md

## What is Kanji Lookup?

Kanji lookup  - simple, fast, and hassle-free!

This App is not a dictionary or an exhaustive Kanji reference - and nor does it strive to be! Instead, it focusses on - and attempts to excel at - one thing: Finding the meaning of an unknown Kanji character as quickly and easily as possible using the only way that really makes sense on a touch-enable device: by drawing it. 

Stop wasting your time counting strokes, deciphering radicals, or learning the intricacies of 'well-designed' lookup schemes - simply start drawing the character and watch results appear instantaneously. 
KanjiLookup does not clutter your results with obscure readings only found in the name of that one mountain village or cross-references to paper dictionaries you most likely don't own anyway. Instead, it simply shows you what you are looking for: The character's pronunciation and definition. In addition, a searchable list of the most relevant words containing the Kanji character is only a tap away. 
Of course you can also search using the keyboard. KanjiLookup can even (optionally) search for all Kanji characters contained in text in the pasteboard. 

KanjiLookup was designed from the ground up for minimal start-up time, nearly instantaneous handwriting recognition, and a clean interface that doesn't get in your way. It currently contains information for over 3500 Kanji, including but not limited to all the Joyo and Jinmeiyo characters.

## Key features

- Handwriting recognition for Kanji lookup
- Instantaneous search results
- Pronunciation and definition display
- Searchable list of relevant words
- Keyboard search support
- Pasteboard text search

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stroke Animations | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove Advertisements | $1.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Kanji Lookup?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Accurate kanji recognition
- 💡 Comprehensive kanji information
- 👍 Helpful for learning Japanese
- 👍 Useful for travel to Japan

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional recognition issues
- 💰 Ads can be intrusive
- 🐛 Camera function not reliable
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Kanji recognition not always accurate
- Camera function doesn't work consistently
- App crashes or freezes occasionally

**Most requested features**

- Add audio pronunciations
- Improve camera function
- Provide more customization options
- Implement kanji quizzing/testing

## Recent user reviews (10 of 90)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-lookup/id973780102/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Good

*2026-07-27, version 2.3.16*

Good App

### 5/5 — Absolute must have

*2026-07-19, version 2.3.16*

Whether you just visit or really want to master Japanese, without being able to know what the kanji means you will be lost. Restaurants, streets, shopping. I love this app, use it everyday and my understanding of the language is really improving.

### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for

*2026-06-07*

Thank you !

### 5/5 — Good but can get better

*2026-05-12*

This is a very handy app and worth paying for. One small problem is the audio. The button is too close to the information button and it’s hard to press. Also, the audio is a little bit slow. But hopefully the developers will fix this. If you’re learning Kanji, this is a great app to have next to you when you are reading. I’m highly recommending it to any student. Hopefully they fix the small audio issues.

### 5/5 — Genial

*2026-05-07*

Beste Lese- und Lernhilfe

### 5/5 — New kanji when reading

*2026-02-23, version 2.3.13*

Very helpful in finding out the definition and reading of a kanji by writing the kanji out.

### 1/5 — I can’t open the app…

*2026-01-01, version 2.3.13*

I downloaded it and it said this app is compatible with my phone, but the app closes every time I try and use it. I think this is a bug

### 5/5 — Japanese

*2025-11-19, version 2.3.12*

I swear by it…The Japanese..!

### 5/5 — I love this app

*2025-11-14, version 2.3.12*

So helpful and easy to use….

### 5/5 — 手放せない！魅力

*2025-10-20*

もう、還暦を迎え、今まですらすらよめたりかけたりしていましたが、最近は、思い出せないことが多く、ほんと、助かっています。絶対手放せないアプリです。いつも、ありがとうって感じです。

## Frequently asked questions about Kanji Lookup

### What does Kanji Lookup do?

Kanji Lookup is designed to help you quickly find the meaning and pronunciation of unknown Kanji characters. It excels at identifying characters through drawing them on your device's touch screen, offering a fast and hassle-free lookup experience.

### How does Kanji Lookup work?

The primary method is drawing the Kanji character directly on the screen. The app uses handwriting recognition to identify the character and instantly provides its pronunciation and definition. It also supports searching via keyboard and optionally scanning Kanji from your device's pasteboard.

### Is Kanji Lookup free to use?

The application is free to download and use, but it offers in-app purchases. This model allows users to access core functionality for free while providing options for enhanced features or content through purchases.

### What kind of Kanji information does it provide?

It provides the character's pronunciation and definition. Additionally, it offers a searchable list of the most relevant words that contain the Kanji character, making it easier to understand its usage in context.

### What are the main benefits of using Kanji Lookup?

The app focuses on speed and ease of use, eliminating the need for complex stroke counting or radical deciphering. Its interface is clean and designed for minimal startup time and instantaneous recognition, making it efficient for identifying unknown Kanji.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.16 — 2026-06-03

- bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.3.15 — 2026-04-09

- bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.3.14 — 2026-03-04

- bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.3.13 — 2025-12-22

- bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.3.12 — 2025-10-27

- bug fixes and performance improvements

## Apps similar to Kanji Lookup

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Japanese Dictionary - Nihongo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-dictionary-nihongo/id881697245) | 4.8 (1,829) | Free | Reference |
| [Kanji Learner's Dictionary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-learners-dictionary/id716481897) | 4.6 (12) | $19.99 | Reference |
| [Japanese Kanji Lookup PLUS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-kanji-lookup-plus/id1610676669) | 4.2 (24) | Free | Reference |
| [Shirabe Jisho](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shirabe-jisho/id1005203380) | 4.9 (8,714) | Free | Reference |
| [Kanji Lookup Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-lookup-pro/id995970711) | 4.9 (56) | $1.99 | Reference |
| [Mazii: Japanese Dictionary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mazii-japanese-dictionary/id933081417) | 4.6 (353) | Free | Reference |

## More apps by telethon k.k.

- [MySequence](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mysequence/id699508000)
- [MyGels](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mygels/id891708953)
- [Simple Furigana](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-furigana/id924351286)
- [かけるかな？](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id950138212)
- [Let's Write Kanji!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lets-write-kanji/id983099156)

All apps by telethon k.k.: https://appshunter.io/developer/699508003

## Related topics

[kanji lookup](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-lookup) · [kanji keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-keyboard) · [kanji lookup pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-lookup-pro) · [kenji](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kenji) · [kanji dictionary](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-dictionary) · [genki kanji](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/genki-kanji) · [kanji app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-app) · [kanji drill](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-drill) · [yomiwa](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/yomiwa) · [kanji widgets](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-widgets) · [kanji teacher](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kanji-teacher) · [write kanji](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/write-kanji) · [kodansha kanji synonyms guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kodansha-kanji-synonyms-guide)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*