Writing reference
Eight stroke-order rules to use while practising
Use these patterns to predict the next movement, then confirm it in the animated canvas above.
Top before bottom
二字Write upper components before lower ones, as in 二 and 字.
Left before right
你明Complete the left component first, as in 你 and 明.
Horizontal before vertical
十When strokes cross, the horizontal stroke usually comes first, as in 十.
Outside before inside
同Write an enclosing shape before its contents, as in 同.
Close frames last
国Finish a frame after writing its interior, as in 国.
Center before sides
小Start with the central stroke in balanced forms such as 小.
Cutting strokes last
干A stroke passing through a completed form often comes near the end, as in 干.
Dots and minor strokes
玉犬Finishing dots commonly come last, depending on the character structure.