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The short version
- The new HSK syllabus (published November 2025, in force from July 2026) has 11,000 words across nine levels, up from 5,000 words and six levels in HSK 2.0.
- Levels 1 to 3 are the beginner stage (1,000 words), 4 to 6 the intermediate stage (5,400 words in total), and 7 to 9 are tested together.
- Each list below has every word with pinyin, meaning and part of speech, self-test buttons and a free download.
How many words are in each HSK level?
The new HSK has 300 words at level 1 and 11,000 words by level 9. Here is how they build up level by level in the November 2025 syllabus:
| Level | New words | Words in total | New characters |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 300 | 300 | 246 |
| HSK 2 | 200 | 500 | 125 |
| HSK 3 | 500 | 1,000 | 284 |
| HSK 4 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 441 |
| HSK 5 | 1,600 | 3,600 | 431 |
| HSK 6 | 1,800 | 5,400 | 413 |
| HSK 7 to 9 | 5,600 | 11,000 | 1,148 |
Source: HSK syllabus, Center for Language Education and Cooperation, November 2025.
Which HSK version should you study?
The new syllabus takes effect from July 2026, and test centers are moving over during 2026. If your sitting still uses HSK 2.0, its lists are shorter: 150 words at level 1, 300 at level 2, 600 at level 3, 1,200 at level 4, 2,500 at level 5 and 5,000 at level 6. If you are starting now, the new lists are the ones that will count from 2027 on.
How should you study HSK vocabulary?
- Start at the level below your goalWords build on each other, so finish the lower lists first.
- Use spaced repetitionReview each word just before you would forget it, with a flashcard app that schedules reviews.
- Learn characters with the wordsEach level page lists the words; recognize the characters inside them as you go.
Frequently asked questions
How many words are in the new HSK?
11,000 words across nine levels in the HSK syllabus published in November 2025: 300 at level 1, 500 by level 2, 1,000 by level 3, 2,000 by level 4, 3,600 by level 5, 5,400 by level 6 and 11,000 by levels 7 to 9.
Is HSK 3.0 the same as the new HSK?
Yes. People call the new nine-level HSK "HSK 3.0". The syllabus with its word lists was published in November 2025 and takes effect from July 2026.
Can I download the HSK word lists?
Yes. Every level page has a free CSV download with Chinese, pinyin, meaning and part of speech.
Word counts from the official HSK syllabus (November 2025). SuanSupply is not affiliated with Chinese Testing International or the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.