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Chinese Character Stroke Order: The 8 Rules

Correct stroke order makes Chinese characters easier to write and remember. Master these eight rules and almost every character becomes predictable.

22 de octubre de 2026

Why stroke order matters

Stroke order is not a matter of style — it is how Chinese characters are structured. Writing in the correct order makes characters faster to write, easier to remember, and more balanced. It is also what native readers unconsciously expect, so correct stroke order makes your handwriting look natural.

Once you learn the eight rules below, you will find that almost every new character follows them. The exceptions are few and easy to learn.

The eight rules

Master these in order — each builds on the last.

  • 1. Top before bottom (先上后下): in 三 (sān), the top strokes come first
  • 2. Left before right (先左后右): in 人 (rén), the left stroke precedes the right
  • 3. Horizontal before vertical (先横后竖): in 十 (shí), the horizontal stroke is written first
  • 4. Left-falling before right-falling (先撇后捺): in 人 (rén), the 撇 comes before the 捺
  • 5. Outside before inside (先外后内): in 月 (yuè), the outer frame is written before the inside
  • 6. Inside before enclosing (先里后外): in 这 (zhè), the inside is written before the final 辶
  • 7. Middle before sides (先中间后两边): in 小 (xiǎo), the central stroke comes first
  • 8. Close the frame last (最后封口): in 日 (rì), the bottom stroke closes the box at the end

Common examples

See the rules in action with characters you will meet early.

  • 我 (wǒ) — 撇, 横, 竖钩, 提, 斜钩, 撇, 点: left to right, top to bottom
  • 你 (nǐ) — 亻 radical first, then 尔, closing strokes last
  • 好 (hǎo) — 女 on the left before 子 on the right
  • 中 (zhōng) — 竖 in the middle, then the frame, closing last
  • 国 (guó) — outer frame, inside 玉, then close the bottom

How to practise

Practise one rule at a time, not all at once. Write each example character five times slowly, focusing on the order rather than speed. Use squared grid paper (田字格) at first — it helps you place each stroke.

Our printable workbooks include stroke-order guides for every character, and our calligraphy wall art shows the finished form you are working towards.

Empieza a practicar

Cuadernos imprimibles con orden de trazos real para HSK 1-6 y YCT 1-4.

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