HSK vocabulary by level

The 2021 HSK 3.0 standard splits Chinese into nine levels across three bands, 10,969 words in all. Most test centers still administer the older six-level HSK 2.0 (4,991 words), so which structure applies depends on your test center. Every level page carries a 2.0-vs-3.0 toggle. Not sure where to start? Take the free placement test.

HSK 3.0 (2021)

9 levels · 3 bands

10,969 words

HSK 2.0 (older)

6 levels

4,991 words

HSK 2.0 vs 3.0, made visual

cumulative words · per level

The ladder got taller and re-spaced

The old six-level exam versus the new nine-level standard. HSK 3.0 raised the entry bar and more than doubled the ceiling at once. Bars are cumulative vocabulary certified at each rung.

HSK 2.0 (6 levels) HSK 3.0 (9 levels)

150

506

297

1,256

595

2,209

1,193

3,181

2,491

4,240

4,991

5,363

10,969

L1beginner

L2beginner

L3beginner

L4interm.

L5interm.

L6interm.

L7–9advanced

Cumulative HSK vocabulary by level: HSK 2.0 versus HSK 3.0
Level	HSK 2.0 cumulative	HSK 3.0 cumulative
L1	150	506
L2	297	1,256
L3	595	2,209
L4	1,193	3,181
L5	2,491	4,240
L6	4,991	5,363
L7–9	n/a	10,969

+237%

Level 1 vocabulary, 150 to 506 words

+271%

Beginner finish line, 595 to 2,209 words

+120%

Top ceiling, 4,991 to 10,969 words

Beginner (Band 1)

cumulative 2,209 words

Level	New words	Cumulative	What it unlocks
HSK 1	506	506	The absolute foundation: greetings, numbers, family, and the highest-frequency function words.	Open table →
HSK 2	750	1,256	Everyday survival vocabulary: time, shopping, directions, and simple past and future.	Open table →
HSK 3	953	2,209	Rounds out the 2,209-word beginner band. HSK 3.0 makes speaking mandatory from this level.	Open table →

Intermediate (Band 2)

cumulative 5,363 words

Level	New words	Cumulative	What it unlocks
HSK 4	972	3,181	Entry to the intermediate band: opinions, comparisons, and connected paragraphs.	Open table →
HSK 5	1,059	4,240	Abstract and topical vocabulary across culture, work, and society.	Open table →
HSK 6	1,123	5,363	Completes the 5,363-word intermediate band. Broad fluency for most everyday and professional life.	Open table →

Advanced (Band 3)

cumulative 10,969 words

Level	New words	Cumulative	What it unlocks
HSK 7–9	5,606	10,969	The advanced band: a single combined exam over 5,606 additional words, including literary and specialist terms.	Open table →

Find your level · free

Not sure which band is yours?

The placement check estimates your HSK level from a short recognition test, then links you straight into the right word table, in frequency order. No signup.

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