HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0: how many words per level
HSK 2.0 counts are from the Vocabulary tab on CTI's Level 1–6 pages; HSK 3.0 counts are from the serial numbers in the official syllabus word list.
Unofficial study site · every figure links to an official source
| Level | HSK 2.0 total | HSK 3.0 total | Change | New at this level (2.0 → 3.0) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 150 | 300 | ×2.0 | 150 → 300 |
| 2 | 300 | 500 | ×1.67 | 150 → 200 |
| 3 | 600 | 1,000 | ×1.67 | 300 → 500 |
| 4 | 1,200 | 2,000 | ×1.67 | 600 → 1,000 |
| 5 | 2,500 | 3,600 | ×1.44 | 1,300 → 1,600 |
| 6 | 5,000 or more | 5,400 | ×1.08 | 2,500 → 1,800 |
| 7–9 | (no such level) | 11,000 | — | — → 5,600 |
What this means
- The biggest jumps are at the bottom: Level 1 doubles (150 → 300) and Level 2 goes from 300 to 500.
- Level 4 needs 2,000 words instead of 1,200. If you know the whole old Level 4 list, you still need at least 800 more words, because the new list has 2,000 entries. We have not compared the two lists word by word.
- Level 6 barely moves (5,000 or more → 5,400), but Levels 7–9 add 5,600 words on top.
- HSK 3.0 also counts characters separately: 246 for Level 1, 1,096 by Level 4, 3,088 by Levels 7–9, plus a handwriting list (1,200 by Levels 7–9).
Characters per level (HSK 3.0)
| Level | Recognition characters (total) | Handwriting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 246 | 100 (Levels 1–2 together) |
| 2 | 371 | 100 (Levels 1–2 together) |
| 3 | 655 | 150 (250 cumulative) |
| 4 | 1,096 | 150 (400 cumulative) |
| 5 | 1,527 | 150 (550 cumulative) |
| 6 | 1,940 | 150 (700 cumulative) |
| 7–9 | 3,088 | 500 (1,200 cumulative) |
Where to get the official word lists → · HSK 3.0 vs 2.0 format → · How long to study →
Frequently asked
How many words is HSK 4 in HSK 3.0?
2,000 in total (HSK 2.0 Level 4: 1,200).
How many words is HSK 1 in HSK 3.0?
300 (HSK 2.0 Level 1: 150).
How many words are in HSK 3.0 in total?
11,000 by Levels 7–9.
Our HSK 4 papers are original and follow the HSK 3.0 Level 4 written structure (70 items). Instant mock score, section drills, a mistake bank and an 8-item daily set. Not past papers, never recalled papers.
Keep reading
Official sources
- Official new HSK syllabus (CLEC, published 2025-11, in force 2026-07), PDF
- Chinese Test Service Website: HSK Level 1 page (2.0), Vocabulary tab
- Chinese Test Service Website: current HSK Level 4 page (2.0 format)
- Chinese Test Service Website: HSK Level 6 page (2.0), Vocabulary tab
Checked 2026-11-13. HSK Sprint is an independent study service, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC / 语合中心), Chinese Testing International or the official HSK. All papers and audio are original. Always confirm details with chinesetest.cn and your test centre.