Short answer: The HSK is the official Chinese proficiency test. The new version, HSK 3.0, has 9 levels in 3 bands: Elementary (1–3), Intermediate (4–6) and Advanced (7–9). It replaces the old 6-level HSK 2.0, needs more words at every level, and formally starts on 13 December 2026.
The 9 HSK levels at a glance
| Level | Band | Words (total) | Characters to read | Characters to write |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | Elementary | 300 | 246 | – |
| HSK 2 | Elementary | 500 | 371 | 100 |
| HSK 3 | Elementary | 1,000 | 655 | 250 |
| HSK 4 | Intermediate | 2,000 | 1,096 | 400 |
| HSK 5 | Intermediate | 3,600 | 1,527 | 550 |
| HSK 6 | Intermediate | 5,400 | 1,940 | 700 |
| HSK 7–9 | Advanced | 11,000 | 3,088 | 1,200 |
All counts are cumulative, from the official HSK 3.0 syllabus.
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A new story every day for HSK 1–3, 4–5 or 6+, so you understand it from day one. Stuck on a word? Tap it for pinyin, meaning, examples and native audio.
What each band means
- Elementary (HSK 1–3): everyday basics, from greetings and numbers up to handling most daily situations and reading simple texts. Free practice texts: HSK 1 · HSK 2 · HSK 3
- Intermediate (HSK 4–6): talking about a wide range of topics, reading articles and following films, up to expressing yourself fluently on most subjects.
- Advanced (HSK 7–9): academic and professional Chinese, taken as one combined exam.
Old HSK vs new HSK: how the word counts changed
| Level | Old HSK 2.0 | New HSK 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 150 | 300 |
| HSK 2 | 300 | 500 |
| HSK 3 | 600 | 1,000 |
| HSK 4 | 1,200 | 2,000 |
| HSK 5 | 2,500 | 3,600 |
| HSK 6 | 5,000 | 5,400 |
| HSK 7–9 | – | 11,000 |
Two other big changes: there are now separate lists for characters you need to read and characters you need to write, and three new advanced levels (7–9) sit above HSK 6.
When does HSK 3.0 start?
Pilot exams ran on 31 January 2026, and the new exam formally starts on 13 December 2026. Until then, regular test dates use the old 6-level HSK. Always check chinesetest.cn for the format of your test date before you register.
Start HSK 1 with our free video course
New to Chinese? Our free New HSK 1 (3.0) course on YouTube walks you through the first level, lesson by lesson.
Which HSK level should you aim for?
- Travel and basic conversation: HSK 2–3
- Studying in China: most universities ask for HSK 4 or 5 (check your programme)
- Working in Chinese: HSK 5–6 and up
How to prepare for any HSK level
- Learn the official word list for your level, then learn those words in context, not just as flashcards.
- Read every day at your level. The reading section is where most people lose marks, and reading speed matters. Start with our free HSK 1, HSK 2 and HSK 3 reading practice, or read how to practise reading Chinese.
- Listen every day, ideally to the same texts you read.
- Do past papers in the last month, timed.
Build HSK reading speed in 5 minutes a day
Tell us your level (or take a quick test) and get a short story written for it every day. Native audio, tap-to-translate and a 1-minute quiz, so you can see it’s sticking.
HSK FAQ
How many HSK levels are there?
Nine in HSK 3.0, in three bands. The old HSK 2.0 had six.
How many words do I need for HSK 1?
300 words under HSK 3.0, up from 150 under the old HSK.
What HSK level is fluent?
Most people consider HSK 6 and above near-fluent for everyday and work use.
Is HSK 3.0 harder?
Yes. Every level needs more words than before, and there are separate reading and writing character lists.
Is my old HSK certificate still valid?
Yes, certificates don’t expire, though universities and employers usually want results from the last 2 years.
Related: How many characters do you need? · Best apps to learn to read Chinese · Pinyin guide
