How to use this stroke order tool
Enter a character
Type or paste one Chinese character. If you paste a word, the first character is used.
Watch the strokes
The animation draws each stroke in the standard order and direction, so you can see exactly how the character is built.
Replay or step through
Use Replay to watch the whole character again, or Next stroke to pause on one stroke at a time while you write along.
What this page does
- Looks up the stroke order of one Chinese character at a time.
- Animates every stroke in standard order, including stroke direction.
- Offers replay and single-step controls for teaching, homework or self-study.
- Keeps a shareable address:
?char=永opens the page with that character ready. - Runs entirely in the browser — there is no account to create and nothing to install.
This page does not grade your handwriting. If you want feedback on the characters you write yourself, the AI handwriting check is available in the iOS and Android app — see how the AI handwriting check works.
Stroke order rules the animation follows
- Top to bottom — 三 is written from the top horizontal down.
- Left to right — 川 is written from the left vertical to the right.
- Horizontal before vertical — the horizontal of 十 comes first.
- Left-falling before right-falling — 人 starts with the 撇 stroke.
- Outside before inside — the frame of 月 is written before the inner strokes.
- Inside before closing — the inner part of 国 is written before the final bottom line.
Want the full explanation with examples? Read Chinese stroke order rules explained.
FAQ
Is this stroke order tool free?
Yes. The stroke order lookup and animation on this page are free to use, with no account, login or payment required.
Do I need to install an app to use it?
No. The tool runs in your browser on desktop and mobile; the app is only needed for AI handwriting feedback.
How do I look up a character?
Type or paste one Chinese character into the search box. The page loads that character and starts the stroke order animation automatically.
Can I share a link to a specific character?
Yes. Add the ?char= parameter to the URL, for example ?char=永, and the page opens with that character loaded.
Which characters are supported?
Common simplified characters from the public stroke order dataset are supported. Very rare or unusual characters may have no data.
Does the animation show stroke direction?
Yes. Every stroke is drawn in its standard direction and order, and you can replay the whole character or step through one stroke at a time.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The page is responsive and works in modern mobile browsers without installing anything.
Do you store the characters I look up?
No. Lookups run in your browser, and the character is only sent to the public data host to fetch its stroke data.
Can this page check my handwriting with AI?
No. AI handwriting checking is an in-app feature for iOS and Android. This page only provides stroke order lookup and animation.
Are traditional characters supported?
Coverage follows the public dataset, which focuses on common simplified characters. Some traditional forms may not load.
Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers and parents can project or share the page and use the step control to explain one stroke at a time, with no sign-in.
What should I do if a character does not load?
Check that you entered exactly one Chinese character. If it still fails, the character may be missing from the public dataset, and you can email relaxsupport@agentmail.to.