The figures quoted most often, counted cumulatively from the start, are: N5 about 800 words and 100 kanji, N4 about 1,500 words and 300 kanji, N3 about 3,750 words and 650 kanji. They are estimates listed on Jonathan Waller's JLPT Resources site (tanos.co.uk), a popular self-study site, and not an announcement from the people who write the exam.
The reason is that the JLPT does not publish a vocabulary or kanji list for each level. So every figure is only an estimate, and two textbooks can give two different numbers. Use them to get a sense of scale, not as a pass or fail threshold.
Reference numbers for N5, N4 and N3
N5: about 800 words and 100 kanji
N5: about 800 words and 100 kanji. According to the description on jlpt.jp, an N5 test taker can read typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji.
N4: about 1,500 words and 300 kanji
N4: about 1,500 words and 300 kanji (including N5). jlpt.jp describes an N4 test taker as able to read and understand passages on familiar topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji.
N3: about 3,750 words and 650 kanji
N3: about 3,750 words and 650 kanji (including N5 and N4). This is the biggest jump of the three levels, because jlpt.jp describes N3 as a bridging level between N4/N5 and N1/N2.
Why the JLPT has no official list
The jlpt.jp FAQ explains that after the 2010 revision the Test Content Specifications, which contained lists of vocabulary, kanji and grammar items, are no longer available. The reason given is that the ultimate goal of studying is to use the language to communicate rather than simply memorise words and kanji.
Instead the exam publishes a summary of the linguistic competence required for each level, plus sample questions. That is also why the numbers above should be treated as guidance only.
The real numbers in GoMe's learning data
The count on 30 September 2026
On 30 September 2026 we counted the items in GoMe's learning database, including only items that already have a Vietnamese meaning. Vocabulary labelled N5: 741, N4: 684, N3: 2,155 (3,580 in total for N5 to N3). Kanji labelled N5: 80, N4: 166, N3: 373 (619 in total for N5 to N3).
How to read these numbers
Read these numbers for what they are: GoMe's estimated level label for each item, not the exam's list. Each item sits in a single level, so the figure for a higher level does not include the lower ones (the cumulative totals are given above). In addition, 160 kanji have no level label yet and are not in the numbers above.
Compared with the commonly quoted figures, GoMe's N5 to N3 vocabulary total (3,580) is close to the roughly 3,750 estimate, and its kanji total (619) is close to the roughly 650 estimate. A small gap like this is normal because both are estimates based on different ways of splitting the levels.
How to use these numbers
Use them to break your plan into smaller steps: for example learn a steady number of words a day and estimate how long it takes to reach the volume of your target level. Do not treat having enough words as enough to pass, because jlpt.jp describes the exam as measuring reading and listening ability, not just word count.
GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, the organisers of the JLPT. The N5, N4 and N3 levels in this article follow the JLPT framework only to help you picture the scale and are not an endorsement by the exam organisers.
Source: jlpt.jp - Frequently asked questions (accessed 30 September 2026) (30 Sept 2026)
Source: jlpt.jp - Summary of linguistic competence by level, N1 to N5 (accessed 30 September 2026) (30 Sept 2026)
Source: JLPT Resources (Jonathan Waller, tanos.co.uk) - unofficial estimates; the N3 and N4 pages state they were last updated on 1 December 2011 (1 Dec 2011)