HSK guide
HSK levels
The HSK is the standard Chinese test for learners. It has six exams for levels 1 to 6 and one advanced exam for levels 7 to 9. From 13 December 2026, the exams follow a new syllabus with new word lists.
The levels and their words
The word counts add up: HSK 2 includes the words of HSK 1. Three lists give different counts for the same level number, so the table shows all three.
| Level | New exam (2025) | 2021 standard | Old HSK (2.0) | Dengdeng stories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 300 | 500 | 150 | Beginner |
| HSK 2 | 500 | 1,272 | 300 | Beginner |
| HSK 3 | 1,000 | 2,245 | 600 | Easy |
| HSK 4 | 2,000 | 3,245 | 1,200 | Medium |
| HSK 5 | 3,600 | 4,316 | 2,500 | Hard |
| HSK 6 | 5,400 | 5,456 | 5,000+ | Hard |
| HSK 7–9 | 11,000 | 11,092 | — | Hard |
The new exam list is the one to study for a test on or after 13 December 2026. The 2021 standard is behind many word lists and apps called “HSK 3.0”. The old HSK has six levels and is the list in most older course books. The dictionary compares the 2021 standard and the old HSK word by word.
The new exam
The first exams on the new syllabus are on 13 December 2026. To sit that date, register by 16 November for a paper test or by 3 December for a test on a computer (Beijing time). Earlier dates use the old HSK.
Besides the words, the syllabus sets the characters to read and to write, the grammar points and the tasks for each level. HSK 1 has 246 characters to read and none to write. HSK 2 adds 100 characters to write by hand.
For sample papers, dates and test centers, use the official site, chinesetest.cn. We checked these facts on 11 November 2026.
Free word lists
The HSK 1 page has the 50 most common words with audio and free PDF lists for the new and the old HSK 1. The dictionary has every word of the 2021 standard and the old HSK, with pinyin, meanings and a flashcard quiz.
For how much each level covers in everyday Chinese, read how hard each HSK level is. For books to read at each level, see graded readers by HSK level.
Read Chinese at your HSK level
Dengdeng has Beginner stories for learners around HSK 1 and 2, and real stories from China at Easy (around HSK 1–3), Medium (3–4) and Hard (5 and up). Tap any word for its pinyin and meaning.
A week of reading Chinese
Seven short Chinese texts about everyday life in China, one a day, with the hard words explained.
Questions
- How many HSK levels are there?
- Nine. Levels 1 to 6 each have their own exam. One advanced exam covers levels 7, 8 and 9.
- What is HSK 3.0?
- The name of the new nine-level HSK. A 2021 standard set out the levels, and a 2025 syllabus fixed the word lists for the exams. The first exams on that syllabus are on 13 December 2026.
- Which HSK word list should I study?
- For an exam on or after 13 December 2026, study the 2025 syllabus. For an earlier exam or an older course book, study the old HSK list.
