This is a free, curated JLPT N2 kanji list with on'yomi/kun'yomi readings and English meanings. JLPT N2 requires command of around 1,000 kanji in total, with about 370 introduced at the N2 level. The high-frequency characters below are the best place to start — study them online, or print this page for offline review.

Tip: learn each kanji inside a word, not alone. Open the matching JLPT N2 vocabulary list and JLPT N2 grammar notes to see these kanji in real sentences.

High-frequency JLPT N2 kanji

セイ
politics, government
ケイ・へる
manage; pass through
サイ・すむ
finish; settle
deliberation, discussion
トウ
political party
セイ
system; control
ゲン・かぎる
limit
ニン・みとめる
recognize; approve
ゾウ・ふえる
increase
ゲン・へる
decrease
value; price
ヒョウ
evaluation, criticism
ハン
judgement; seal
サン
approval, agreement
ヒ・いな
negate, deny
エイ・いとなむ
operate, run (a business)
ヒ・ついやす
expense; spend
タイ・かす
lend
シャク・かりる
borrow
ヨ・あずける
deposit; entrust
transport
ソク・はかる
measure
コウ・かまえる
construct; posture
ゾウ・つくる
create; build
セキ
achievements, results
ガク
amount; framed; forehead
ヒ・くらべる
compare; ratio
カク・たしか
certain, sure
シキ
knowledge; discern
カイ・とく
solve; untie
ショウ・ゾウ
phenomenon; elephant
ゾウ
image, statue
タイ
condition, attitude
キョウ・さかい
boundary; circumstances

Related study materials

Frequently asked questions

How many kanji are needed for JLPT N2?

You need command of around 1,000 kanji in total for N2, of which roughly 370 are introduced at the N2 level itself on top of the N5–N3 kanji.

Is this N2 kanji list free?

Yes. This curated high-frequency N2 kanji list is completely free to read online, with readings and meanings, and you can print the page or study it on mobile — no signup required.

What is the best way to learn N2 kanji?

Learn kanji inside vocabulary, not in isolation. Group each kanji with the N2 words that use it, practise the on'yomi compounds (jukugo), and review with spaced repetition.

Does this cover every N2 kanji?

This is a curated high-frequency selection of the most exam-relevant N2 kanji to get you started fast. Pair it with the N2 vocabulary and grammar pages for full coverage.