JLPT countdown: WaniKani level on test day
JLPT registration deadlines force a decision: target N3 this December, or wait until July for a more comfortable shot? This calculator projects your WaniKani level forward from today to your test date, then compares it against the kanji coverage you need for the level you're taking.
Note that WaniKani only handles the kanji + vocabulary half of the test. JLPT grammar and listening are separate preparations. See our JLPT pairing guide for the full picture.
Assumes a paid WaniKani account. Free accounts cap at level 3, so the projection above is only reachable on a subscription.
JLPT test dates
The JLPT runs twice a year in most countries:
- July sitting: first Sunday of July. Registration usually closes mid-April.
- December sitting: first Sunday of December. Registration usually closes mid-September.
Some smaller countries only host the December sitting (e.g. parts of South America, Africa). Check the JEES / JLPT website for your specific testing centre's schedule.
WK level required for each JLPT level
Approximate WaniKani level at which the JLPT kanji set is effectively covered:
- N5: WK level 10
- N4: WK level 17
- N3: WK level 35
- N2: WK level 50
- N1: WK level 60+
These are coverage floors, not guarantees. JLPT kanji sections test reading and meaning recall in pseudo- natural sentences; a recent WK Guru is more fragile than a deeply burned item. Aim a few levels above the floor if you have time.
If the calculator says "off track"
Off track doesn't mean don't take the test - it means WaniKani alone won't fully cover the kanji set by the test date. Three options:
- Accelerate WaniKani. Tighter lesson schedule, two daily sessions, max review-on-time discipline. Sustainable for ~3 months sprints, not longer.
- Supplement with Anki for the gap. Pull the kanji your test level needs that you haven't hit in WK yet, and drill them in a focused Anki deck for the last 6-8 weeks.
- Push the test to the next sitting. JLPT failures are not free - the test costs around $60-80, and a failed attempt is demoralising. If the math says you're a full year behind, push to next December instead of forcing this one.
See your actual coverage
For the exact kanji you have learned vs the kanji each JLPT level requires, the JLPT coverage page shows the breakdown per level (works without an API key) and the personalised version is on your dashboard with the API key.