# Kanji Pad: Learn by Writing — Japanese kanji, JLPT & grades

> Interactive writing app for learning Japanese kanji by grade level. (iPhone/iPad app by Vitaliy Golubenko.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-pad-learn-by-writing/id6444296015 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Vitaliy Golubenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1054807220)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 90 MB
- Languages: Korean, German (Germany), Russian, Vietnamese, European Spanish, American English, Italian, Indonesian, Thai, Brazilian Portuguese and 1 more
- Released: 2022-11-21
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-pad-learn-by-writing/id6444296015/reviews.md

## What is Kanji Pad?

The fastest way to remember a kanji is to write it. Kanji Pad teaches you all 2,136 jōyō kanji stroke by stroke — you draw each character on screen, and the app checks every stroke you make.

WRITE, DON'T JUST FLIP CARDS
Trace each new kanji with guided strokes, then reproduce it from memory. Kanji Pad scores your strokes as you draw, so muscle memory does the work that flashcards can't.

STRUCTURED THE WAY JAPANESE IS ACTUALLY LEARNED
• JLPT levels from N5 to N1 — study exactly what your next exam requires
• Japanese school grades 1–6 and secondary school
• Your own custom sets — group kanji any way you like

SEE YOUR PROGRESS EVERY DAY
The Today dashboard shows your streak, your JLPT progress level by level, and a 12-week activity map. Pick up right where you left off with one tap.

FIND ANY KANJI — EVEN ONE YOU CAN'T READ
Search by English meaning, by on/kun reading in kana, or simply draw the character and let Kanji Pad recognize it. Perfect for looking up kanji you spot in the wild.

LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT EACH CHARACTER
• On and kun readings with native speech synthesis
• Meanings and Heisig keywords
• Real example words, sorted by how frequently they're used in Japanese
• Swipe between kanji to keep exploring

MAKE IT YOURS
• Choose your session size and repetition pace
• Four authentic Japanese typefaces: kaishō, kyōkasho, minchō and gothic
• Haptic feedback while you write

NO STRINGS ATTACHED
Works fully offline. No account, no sign-up. Your progress stays on your device.
Whether you're starting with your first N5 characters or closing the gap to N1, Kanji Pad turns daily writing practice into a habit that sticks.

## Key features

- Interactive kanji writing practice
- Kanji organized by grade levels
- Customizable group sizes and repetition
- Progress tracking
- Stress-free learning experience

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-pad-learn-by-writing/id6444296015/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Promising. Could use some updates.

*2025-01-15*

Promising app. Simple and practical. Would be good for those more serious academics that don’t care for fun and games or hand-holding.

Personally, really close to what I was looking for to practicing writing kanji while learning the application, but there’s something just lacking to the format that just doesn’t do it for me.

Heads up to the dev, I use dark mode/theme for my settings on my iPad. The app is functional, but shows up as a black/blank screen for the main page. I can see the setting icon in the corner and I can read things in the settings. Just the main screen where the kanji characters should appear does not contrast. I did confirm the app is working if you randomly tap the blank screen, it’s just not visually appearing.

### 1/5 — Does not work

*2023-08-09*

Nothing comes up on screen when starting the app

## Frequently asked questions about Kanji Pad

### How does Kanji Pad help me learn kanji?

Kanji Pad uses an interactive writing experience where you practice writing kanji directly on your screen. This method helps reinforce memory and muscle memory for better retention.

### Is Kanji Pad suitable for beginners?

Yes, Kanji Pad is designed for easy and fun learning, making it suitable for beginners. The kanji are organized by grade levels, allowing users to start with foundational characters.

### Can I customize my learning in Kanji Pad?

Absolutely. Kanji Pad allows you to customize your learning by adjusting group sizes and repetition cycles to match your individual pace and learning style.

### What devices does Kanji Pad support?

Kanji Pad is available for iPhone and iPad devices, offering a flexible learning experience across Apple's mobile ecosystem.

### How often is Kanji Pad updated?

The app was last updated on January 24, 2025, with version 0.6.1. The developer indicates that more features are coming soon, suggesting ongoing development.

### What is the age rating for Kanji Pad?

Kanji Pad has an age rating of 4+, making it appropriate for a wide range of users, including younger learners interested in Japanese.

### Does Kanji Pad have ads?

No, Kanji Pad is ad-free, providing an uninterrupted learning experience without any advertisements.

### What is the user sentiment for Kanji Pad?

Based on the available rating, Kanji Pad has a positive user sentiment, with an average of 4.5 stars from 2 ratings.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 0.7.7 — 2026-08-22

- Fixed kanji search by meanings in the app language.

### 0.7.6 — 2026-08-18

- Added tools to manage learned kanji.

### 0.7.5 — 2026-08-14

- Various improvements

### 0.7.2 — 2026-08-10

Kanji Pad 0.7 is a complete redesign.

• New Today dashboard — streak, JLPT progress and activity map
• Library reorganized: JLPT levels, school grades, your own sets
• Search kanji by meaning, reading — or just draw it
• Redesigned kanji pages: swipe between characters, example words sorted by real-world frequency
• Better practice sessions: progress, haptics and a results summary
• New authentic Japanese typefaces
• Quick setup on first launch, plus dozens of fixes and polish

### 0.6.1 — 2025-01-24

- minor bug fixes

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## More apps by Vitaliy Golubenko

- [Schengen Calculator 90/180](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/schengen-calculator-90180/id1054807221)
- [Schengen 90](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/schengen-90/id1608725033)
- [LucidCue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lucidcue/id6745799090)

All apps by Vitaliy Golubenko: https://appshunter.io/developer/1054807220

## Related topics

[write kanji](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/write-kanji)

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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 2026-08-27.*