Japanese Typing Practice

60-second typing challenge

Type as many Japanese sentences as you can with speed and accuracy. Your WPM and accuracy will be tracked in real-time.

Press Space or click to start

JLPT N5/N4 Level Sentences

Master Japanese Typing Skills

Japanese Typing Practice is a free online tool designed to help you master typing in Japanese. Whether you're learning hiragana, katakana, or kanji, our interactive practice tool provides real-time feedback to improve your typing speed and accuracy. Perfect for JLPT students, Japanese language learners, and anyone looking to improve their Japanese input skills.

Practice with authentic JLPT N5 and N4 level sentences, or switch to katakana mode to master foreign loanwords commonly used in Japanese. Our intelligent romanization system accepts multiple input methods, making it easy to learn the natural flow of Japanese typing.

How to Use This Tool

1. Choose Your Mode

Select between Hiragana mode (JLPT sentences with kanji) or Katakana mode (foreign loanwords). Beginners should start with hiragana to build foundational typing skills.

2. Start Practicing

Click "Start Practice" and type the romanization of each Japanese character. The system automatically converts your input to hiragana or katakana in real-time, highlighting your progress and errors.

3. Track Your Progress

Monitor your words per minute (WPM), accuracy percentage, and completed sentences during each 60-second session. Use this data to identify areas for improvement.

Key Features

  • •Real-time Conversion: Type in romaji and see instant conversion to hiragana or katakana with color-coded feedback
  • •Multiple Input Methods: Supports various romanization styles (shi/si, chi/ti, tsu/tu, etc.)
  • •JLPT Content: Practice with authentic N5/N4 level sentences to prepare for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
  • •Katakana Mode: Master foreign loanwords and katakana typing with dedicated practice mode
  • •Performance Metrics: Track WPM, accuracy, and completion rate to measure your improvement
  • •No Duplicates: Smart session management ensures you don't practice the same sentence twice in one session
  • •Dark Mode: Comfortable typing practice in any lighting condition with built-in dark theme

Japanese Typing Guide

Understanding Japanese Writing Systems

Japanese uses three writing systems: hiragana (ひらがな), katakana (カタカナ), and kanji (漢字). Hiragana is used for native Japanese words and grammatical elements, katakana for foreign loanwords and emphasis, and kanji for meaning-based characters borrowed from Chinese.

Romanization (Romaji) Basics

This tool uses the Hepburn romanization system, the most common method for typing Japanese. Here are key patterns to remember:

  • Basic characters: a, i, u, e, o → あ、い、う、え、お
  • Consonant + vowel: ka, ki, ku, ke, ko → か、き、く、け、こ
  • Small tsu (っ): Double the next consonant (kitte → きって)
  • N sound (ん): Type 'nn' (kantan → かんたん), or 'n' before consonants (sensei → せんせい)
  • Long vowels: In katakana, use ー (type dash/hyphen for elongation)
  • Compound sounds: kya, kyu, kyo → きゃ、きゅ、きょ

Common Typing Patterns

shi/si → し (both accepted)

chi/ti → ち (both accepted)

tsu/tu → つ (both accepted)

fu/hu → ふ (both accepted)

ji/zi → じ (both accepted)

ん → requires 'nn' (e.g., 'onnna' → おんな)

Tips for Improving Your Speed

  • • Focus on accuracy first - speed will naturally follow
  • • Learn common particle readings (は = wa, へ = e, を = wo/o)
  • • Practice compound characters (きゃ、しゅ、ちょ) as single units
  • • Memorize the keyboard positions of common kana combinations
  • • Use proper touch typing technique - don't look at the keyboard
  • • Practice regularly in short sessions for better retention

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Japanese keyboard to use this tool?

No! This tool is designed for standard QWERTY keyboards. You type in romaji (romanized Japanese), and the tool automatically converts your input to hiragana or katakana. This simulates how Japanese IME (Input Method Editors) work.

What's the difference between hiragana and katakana mode?

Hiragana mode uses JLPT N5/N4 level sentences with a mix of hiragana, katakana, and kanji - perfect for comprehensive Japanese typing practice. Katakana mode focuses exclusively on foreign loanwords written in katakana, which are common in modern Japanese (e.g., コンピューター - computer).

How is WPM calculated for Japanese?

Words Per Minute (WPM) is calculated based on the number of characters typed divided by 5 (standard word length), then adjusted for time. This method is commonly used for Japanese typing speed tests and provides a comparable metric to English WPM.

Why does the tool accept multiple spellings (shi/si, chi/ti)?

Japanese IMEs typically accept multiple romanization variants to accommodate different typing preferences and international standards. Our tool mirrors this real-world flexibility, making it easier to transition to actual Japanese typing on your computer or phone.

How can I improve my accuracy?

Focus on typing slowly and correctly at first. Pay attention to special characters like small tsu (っ) which requires doubling the next consonant, and ん which needs 'nn' or 'n' followed by a consonant. Watch the color-coded feedback - blue means you're typing correctly, red indicates an error. Practice the same sentences multiple times to build muscle memory.

Is this suitable for JLPT preparation?

Yes! While the JLPT doesn't test typing speed, practicing with N5/N4 level sentences helps you internalize common vocabulary, grammar patterns, and kanji readings. The typing practice reinforces your reading comprehension and familiarity with authentic Japanese sentence structures.

Can I use this on mobile devices?

Yes, the site is fully responsive and works on tablets and smartphones. However, for the best typing practice experience, we recommend using a physical keyboard on a computer or laptop.