Best Kanji Dictionary Apps

234+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated July 2026

Finding the right kanji dictionary apps can be overwhelming with so many options. We've analyzed 234+ apps to bring you the best choices for 2026, from free options to premium solutions with advanced features.

Compare top Kanji Dictionary Apps (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Shirabe JishoShirabe JishoFree4.9★ (8.7K)NoNoAug 2026
2JapaneseJapaneseFree4.8★ (3.6K)NoNoAug 2026
3Kanji LookupKanji LookupFree4.7★ (3K)YesYesAug 2026
4Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!Free4.7★ (7K)NoYesAug 2026
5Yomiwa - Japanese DictionaryYomiwa - Japanese DictionaryFree4.7★ (1.1K)NoYesAug 2026
6imiwa?imiwa?Free4.6★ (252)NoYesAug 2026
7多元管理-小工具集合助手多元管理-小工具集合助手FreeNoNoJul 2026
8Japanese Dictionary - NihongoJapanese Dictionary - NihongoFree4.8★ (1.8K)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Kanji Dictionary

Shirabe Jisho#1

Shirabe Jisho by Blazej Stanek

Offline dictionary and more
Editor's Choice
🔍 Reference
4.9😊(8.7K ratings)
Free
Shirabe Jisho screenshot 1
Shirabe Jisho screenshot 2
Shirabe Jisho screenshot 3
Shirabe Jisho screenshot 4
Shirabe Jisho screenshot 5

This app provides a comprehensive offline Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionary. It includes extensive entries, kanji details with stroke order, name databases, and example sentences. Features handwriting recognition and advanced search options for efficient language learning.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Comprehensive dictionary with many features
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 💡 Ability to draw kanji for lookup
  • 🚀 Offline functionality

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Search history can get cluttered
  • 👎 Lack of pitch accent information
  • 👎 Some example sentences are of poor quality
Japanese#2

Japanese by renzo Inc.

More than a dictionary
Strong Contender
🔍 Reference
4.8😊(3.6K ratings)
Free
Japanese screenshot 1
Japanese screenshot 2
Japanese screenshot 3
Japanese screenshot 4
Japanese screenshot 5

This comprehensive language learning tool offers an extensive dictionary with over 175,000 entries and 58,000 example sentences. It includes advanced features like handwriting recognition, conjugation search, and a text reader, alongside flashcard study tools and JLPT-specific lists. Learn Japanese offline with this pocket-sized study companion.

What We Love

  • 📚 Comprehensive dictionary with detailed information
  • 🔍 Efficient search options (kanji, radicals, handwriting)
  • 🗂️ Customizable vocabulary lists and flashcards
  • 💡 Helpful features like JLPT/Kanji Kentei levels, example sentences

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Handwriting recognition issues, especially on newer iOS versions
  • 🔇 Text-to-speech function not working for some users
  • 🔀 Inconsistent organization of example sentences and conjugations
Kanji Lookup#3

Kanji Lookup by telethon k.k.

Worth Considering
🔍 Reference
4.7😊(3K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Kanji Lookup screenshot 1
Kanji Lookup screenshot 2
Kanji Lookup screenshot 3
Kanji Lookup screenshot 4
Kanji Lookup screenshot 5

Quickly find the meaning and pronunciation of unknown Kanji characters by drawing them. This app focuses on fast, easy lookup without complex methods, offering definitions and relevant word examples. It also supports keyboard and pasteboard searches.

What We Love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Accurate kanji recognition
  • 💡 Comprehensive kanji information
  • 👍 Helpful for learning Japanese

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional recognition issues
  • 💰 Ads can be intrusive
  • 🐛 Camera function not reliable

More Kanji Dictionary apps to explore

4
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!
Learn via vocab, JLPT N5–N1
Free

This app teaches Japanese kanji by focusing on vocabulary words. It offers writing practice with stroke detection and spaced repetition reviews for effective memorization. Learn kanji readings naturally through over 5,000 JLPT-aligned words.

Vocabulary-first kanji learningWriting lessons with stroke detectionSpaced repetition reviews
📚 Education
(7K)
free with in-app purchases
5
Yomiwa - Japanese Dictionary
Yomiwa - Japanese Dictionary
Yomiwa - Japanese Dictionary
with Optical Recognition
Free

This app helps you read, write, and learn Japanese with a powerful dictionary, offline OCR, and interactive flashcards. It offers advanced text analysis and a unique social feature for community support.

Offline Optical Character Recognition (OCR)Extensive Japanese dictionary with 20+ languagesInteractive flashcards for vocabulary learning
🔍 Reference
(1.1K)
free with in-app purchases
6
imiwa?
imiwa?
imiwa?
Japanese dictionary ++
Free

A comprehensive offline Japanese dictionary supporting multiple languages for definitions. It includes kanji information, example sentences, and conjugation tools, making it suitable for learners of all levels.

Offline Japanese dictionaryMultilingual definitionsKanji database
🔍 Reference
(252)
free
7
多元管理-小工具集合助手
多元管理-小工具集合助手
多元管理-小工具集合助手
by 墨雪 魏
Free
🌟 Lifestyle
(0)
8
Japanese Dictionary - Nihongo
Japanese Dictionary - Nihongo
Japanese Dictionary - Nihongo
Kanji, kana, vocab and grammar
Free

This app is an offline Japanese study tool that functions as a dictionary, translator, and flashcard creator. It helps users learn Japanese by analyzing text from their surroundings, such as signs and menus, and creating personalized study materials.

Offline Japanese dictionaryPicture-to-text translation (OCR)Automatic flashcard creation
🔍 Reference
(1.8K)
freemium
9
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō
JLPT, Vocab & SRS Flashcards
Free

Master Japanese kanji and vocabulary with AI-powered drills and spaced repetition. Track your progress, practice writing, and review efficiently with customizable quizzes. Works offline for convenient study anytime, anywhere.

AI-powered SRS quizzesHandwriting recognition for kanji practiceOffline access to over 10,000 Kanji
📚 Education
(3.4K)
free with in-app purchases
10
Kanji Learner's Dictionary
Kanji Learner's Dictionary
Kanji Learner's Dictionary
Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dict.
$19.99

This comprehensive dictionary app provides detailed information on 3,002 kanji characters, including meanings, readings, and stroke order diagrams. It offers multiple search methods and is designed for learners of Japanese.

3,002 kanji entry charactersAnimated stroke-order diagramsMultiple search modes (SKIP, radical, meaning)
🔍 Reference
(11)
paid
11
Kanji Teacher - Learn Japanese
Kanji Teacher - Learn Japanese
Kanji Teacher - Learn Japanese
Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana
Free

Master Japanese reading and writing with this comprehensive app. It covers all 2,136 jōyō kanjis, 10,000 common Japanese words, and includes practice for Hiragana and Katakana. Features include stroke analysis, intelligent multiple-choice tests, and a Leitner system for efficient learning.

Learn 2,136 jōyō kanjisMaster 10,000 Japanese wordsPractice Hiragana and Katakana
📚 Education
(299)
free
12
Radical: Kanji Dictionary
Radical: Kanji Dictionary
Radical: Kanji Dictionary
Kanji Made Radically Easier.
Free
📚 Education
(0)
13
Midori (Japanese Dictionary)
Midori (Japanese Dictionary)
Midori (Japanese Dictionary)
by Sukolsak Sakshuwong
Free
$4.99 | 100% OFF

A comprehensive Japanese dictionary app offering extensive word and kanji entries, example sentences, and advanced search capabilities. It supports offline use and includes features like flashcards and stroke order diagrams to aid language learning.

Extensive Japanese-English dictionaryKanji entries with stroke orderExample sentences with furigana
🔍 Reference
(211)
free
14
Japanese English Dictionary +
Japanese English Dictionary +
Japanese English Dictionary +
英和辞典・和英辞典
Free

This app provides a comprehensive Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionary with definitions, example sentences, and pronunciation. It supports offline use, flashcards for learning, and advanced search options for Kanji, Kana, and English words.

Detailed definitions and examplesOffline accessPronunciation with phonetics
📚 Education
(109)
free with in-app purchases
15
Kanji-Kun
Kanji-Kun
Kanji-Kun
Kanji Lookup and Dictionary
Free

This app helps users learn and look up Kanji characters. It offers multiple search methods, including handwriting and radicals, along with pronunciation, meaning, and stroke order details. A built-in Japanese-English and Japanese-Japanese dictionary and translator are also included.

Kanji lookup by handwriting, radicals, or direct inputPronunciation, meaning, and stroke order displayJapanese-English dictionary
🔍 Reference
(84)
free with in-app purchases
16
MOJisho: Japanese Dictionary
MOJisho: Japanese Dictionary
MOJisho: Japanese Dictionary
Learn Japanese more naturally.
Free

This app helps millions of Japanese learners by providing extensive vocabulary and recognition for Kana, Kanji, and Romaji. It offers advanced search, handwriting and image recognition for quick input, sentence translation, and personalized learning tools like word lists and spaced repetition.

Kana, Kanji, Romaji recognitionExtensive vocabulary databaseHandwriting and image input
🔍 Reference
(1.4K)
free with in-app purchases
17
PORO - Kanji Study
PORO - Kanji Study
PORO - Kanji Study
Kanji By Level
Free

Learn Japanese Kanji with detailed information, flashcards, and customizable quizzes. Practice for JLPT exams with simulated tests and challenges. Track your progress from beginner to advanced levels.

Detailed Kanji informationFlashcard study modeCustomizable practice tests
📚 Education
(203)
free with in-app purchases
18
Mazii: Japanese Dictionary
Mazii: Japanese Dictionary
Mazii: Japanese Dictionary
Words, Grammar & AI Translator
Free

This app provides a comprehensive Japanese dictionary with over 1 million entries, offering multiple search methods including camera, handwriting, voice, and text. It also includes grammar explanations, personalized flashcards, and JLPT mock tests to aid language learning.

Accurate Japanese dictionary with 1M+ entriesCamera, handwriting, voice, and text searchGrammar pattern search and explanations
🔍 Reference
(352)
free with in-app purchases
19
Todaii: Learn Japanese N5-N1
Todaii: Learn Japanese N5-N1
Todaii: Learn Japanese N5-N1
Read Japanese news daily N5-N1
Free

Practice Japanese reading, listening, and speaking with daily news articles tailored to your JLPT level. Features AI conversation practice, pronunciation scoring, and mock tests for exam success.

Daily news articles for N5-N1 levelsAI conversation practice with feedbackAI pronunciation scoring
📚 Education
(1.5K)
free with in-app purchases
20
The Kodansha Kanji Usage Guide
The Kodansha Kanji Usage Guide
The Kodansha Kanji Usage Guide
An A to Z of Kun Homophones
$9.99

This reference app helps intermediate Japanese learners understand and differentiate between kun homophones, words with the same kun reading but different kanji and meanings. It provides detailed usage articles, examples, and indexes for over 1,600 kanji.

Detailed usage articles for kun homophonesThousands of compound words and examplesIndexes for On-Kun reading and English meaning
🔍 Reference
(3)
paid

FAQ about Kanji Dictionary

What are the best kanji dictionary apps for iPhone?
Shirabe Jisho tops our kanji dictionary apps ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 8.7K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 18 of the top kanji dictionary apps we rank are free to download, including Shirabe Jisho and Japanese.
Shirabe Jisho has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 234+ kanji dictionary apps on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Shirabe Jisho is a powerful offline Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionary. It offers a vast number of dictionary entries, detailed kanji information including stroke order, and extensive databases of Japanese names and example sentences with translations.
Key features include over 170,000 dictionary entries, 6,500 kanji with stroke order, handwriting recognition for character input, advanced search options like wildcard and radical searches, and categorized kanji lists by JLPT level and school grade.

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