Best Kanji Reference App

0+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated July 2026

Finding the right kanji reference app can be overwhelming with so many options. We've analyzed 0+ apps to bring you the best choices for 2026, from free options to premium solutions with advanced features.

Compare top Kanji Reference App (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Learn Japanese Kanji: BenkyōLearn Japanese Kanji: BenkyōFree4.7★ (3.4K)NoYesAug 2026
2Kanji LookupKanji LookupFree4.7★ (3K)YesYesAug 2026
3Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!Free4.7★ (7K)NoYesAug 2026
4Japanese!! Learn Kana & KanjiJapanese!! Learn Kana & KanjiFree4.8★ (22K)NoYesAug 2026
5iKanji - Learn Japanese KanjiiKanji - Learn Japanese Kanji$4.994.8★ (142)NoYesAug 2026
6imiwa?imiwa?Free4.6★ (255)NoYesAug 2026
7JapaneseJapaneseFree4.8★ (3.6K)NoNoAug 2026
8Kanji Teacher - Learn JapaneseKanji Teacher - Learn JapaneseFree4.7★ (299)NoNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Kanji Reference App

Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō#1

Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō by App to Learn Pte. Ltd.

JLPT, Vocab & SRS Flashcards
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.7😊(3.4K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 1
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 2
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 3
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 4
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 5
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō screenshot 6

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.

What We Love

  • 👍 Comprehensive kanji and vocabulary coverage
  • 🚀 Effective spaced repetition system (SRS)
  • 💡 Customizable quizzes and flashcards
  • 👍 Clean and user-friendly interface

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent or poor audio pronunciation
  • 🐛 Issues with handwriting recognition
  • 🔒 Subscription-based model with limited free access
Kanji Lookup#2

Kanji Lookup by telethon k.k.

Strong Contender
🔍 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
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!#3

Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! by Luli Languages LLC

Learn via vocab, JLPT N5–N1
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.7😊(7.1K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 1
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 2
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 3
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 4
Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 5

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.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great app for learning kanji
  • 👍 Effective review system
  • 💡 Organized by JLPT levels
  • 👍 Affordable one-time purchase

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Sensitive kanji recognition, sometimes doesn't accept correct strokes
  • 🐛 Review sessions can get very long and tedious
  • 🐛 Inconsistent kanji definitions and translations

More Kanji Reference App apps to explore

4
Japanese!! Learn Kana & Kanji
Japanese!! Learn Kana & Kanji
Japanese!! Learn Kana & Kanji
Hiragana, Katakana & Grammar
Free

Master Japanese writing with comprehensive lessons for Hiragana and Katakana. Build vocabulary and grammar skills through engaging quizzes and spaced repetition. Practice reading and writing with audio pronunciation, all offline.

Hiragana and Katakana writing lessonsVocabulary and grammar lessonsSpaced repetition review quizzes
📚 Education
(22K)
free with in-app purchases
5
iKanji - Learn Japanese Kanji
iKanji - Learn Japanese Kanji
iKanji - Learn Japanese Kanji
Read & Write JLPT & Jōyō Kanji
$4.99

Master Japanese kanji with this comprehensive study tool. It covers over 2,000 JLPT and Jōyō kanji, offering practice tests, vocabulary browsing, and spaced repetition. Learn readings, meanings, and stroke order for effective memorization.

JLPT & Jōyō Kanji coverageSpaced repetition (Leitner System)Reading, Meaning, and Compound tests
📚 Education
(142)
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
(255)
free
7
Japanese
Japanese
Japanese
More than a dictionary
Free

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.

Extensive dictionary with 175,000+ entries58,000+ example sentencesHandwriting recognition for kanji/kana
🔍 Reference
(3.6K)
paid
8
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
9
Kanji Garden Japanese
Kanji Garden Japanese
Kanji Garden Japanese
Grow your kanji knowledge
Free

This app helps Japanese language learners master kanji through personalized study plans and spaced repetition. It focuses on understanding kanji components for easier recognition and retention, with smart reviewing and detailed progress tracking.

Personalized study plansSpaced repetition systemContextual vocabulary testing
📚 Education
(746)
free
10
Kana - Hiragana and Katakana
Kana - Hiragana and Katakana
Kana - Hiragana and Katakana
Learn Japanese • quiz & draw
Free

Master Japanese Hiragana and Katakana with this app. It offers customizable tables, drawing practice, and various quiz modes including handwriting recognition. Track your learning progress and set study reminders to effectively learn the Japanese alphabets.

Customizable Kana tablesDrawing practiceMultiple quiz modes
📚 Education
(13K)
ad-supported
11
KanjiQ - Japanese Kanji AD
KanjiQ - Japanese Kanji AD
KanjiQ - Japanese Kanji AD
Japanese Kanji Stroke Order
Free

Master Japanese Kanji stroke order with this comprehensive educational tool. It offers detailed stroke order animations for thousands of characters, aiding in accurate memorization and writing practice.

Learn Kanji stroke order13,000 Kanjis included6,000 Kanjis stroke order supported
📚 Education
(11)
free with in-app purchases
12
Kanji Book
Kanji Book
Kanji Book
Learn jōyō kanji at your pace!
Free

This app helps you learn Japanese kanji at your own pace by creating a personalized workbook. It tracks your progress visually and allows you to practice all aspects of kanji, including readings, drawing, and recall. You can use it as flashcards or take quizzes to reinforce your learning.

Personalized kanji workbookVisual progress trackingPractice readings, drawing, recall
📚 Education
(83)
free
13
Skritter: Write Japanese
Skritter: Write Japanese
Skritter: Write Japanese
Learn Japanese Kana and Kanji
Free

Master Japanese writing with this app, offering practice for Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Learn through topic-based decks, from travel essentials to cultural themes. Ideal for beginners and those looking to improve character recall.

Learn Hiragana, Katakana, and KanjiTopic-based learning decksPractice character drawing
📚 Education
(168)
freemium
14
Remembering the Kanji
Remembering the Kanji
Remembering the Kanji
by Mirai Apps
$10.99

This app provides flashcards and review tools for learning Japanese kanji using the Heisig method. It offers customizable study lists, mnemonic story saving, stroke order animations, and drawing practice. Learn kanji readings and jukugo, and review lessons from the companion books.

Flashcards and review slidesCustomizable study listsMnemonic story saving
📚 Education
(23)
paid
15
Japanese : Learn Kanji JLPT
Japanese : Learn Kanji JLPT
Japanese : Learn Kanji JLPT
learn kanji, kanji study japan
Free

Master Japanese kanji and vocabulary with comprehensive study tools. Features include flashcards, quizzes, and audio lessons for all JLPT levels. Learn effectively with over 2300 kanji and 10,000 vocabulary words.

2300+ essential Kanji with readings and examples10,000 Japanese vocabulary words by topic120 Japanese conversation lessons
📚 Education
(287)
free with in-app purchases
16
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
17
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
18
Study Kanji N5 - N1: Janki
Study Kanji N5 - N1: Janki
Study Kanji N5 - N1: Janki
Flashcard 214 kanji radicals
Free

Master Japanese kanji with this comprehensive learning tool. It offers flashcards, writing practice, and JLPT exam preparation across all levels. Features include detailed character information, stroke order guidance, and progress tracking.

Kanji flashcards and quizzesKanji writing practice with stroke orderJLPT exam practice questions
📚 Education
(76)
free with in-app purchases
19
Shirabe Jisho
Shirabe Jisho
Shirabe Jisho
Offline dictionary and more
Free

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.

Offline Japanese-English dictionaryKanji with stroke orderJapanese names database
🔍 Reference
(8.7K)
free
20
Bunpo: Language Learning
Bunpo: Language Learning
Bunpo: Language Learning
Learn Japanese,Korean,Spanish
Free

Master multiple languages with this comprehensive learning app. It offers detailed grammar explanations, vocabulary building, and smart review systems to help you progress from beginner to advanced levels. Learn Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese with interactive exercises and personalized study plans.

Learn 6 languagesMaster grammar with detailed explanationsBuild vocabulary and kanji knowledge
📚 Education
(18K)
free with in-app purchases

FAQ about Kanji Reference App

What is the best kanji reference app for iPhone?
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō tops our kanji reference app ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 3.4K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 18 of the top kanji reference app we rank are free to download, including Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō and Kanji Lookup.
Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
This app helps users learn Japanese kanji and vocabulary effectively. It utilizes AI-powered spaced repetition system (SRS) quizzes to optimize memory retention. Users can also practice writing kanji, track their progress, and access a comprehensive database of Japanese characters and words.
Key features include a large database of over 10,000 Kanji and 8,000 vocabulary entries, AI-driven FLEX SRS quizzes, customizable SMART and CUSTOM quizzes, handwriting recognition for practicing kanji drawing, stroke order guides, and detailed progress tracking with charts and statistics. The app also works fully offline.