The basic rules
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Top to bottom | 三 |
| Left to right | 川 |
| When strokes cross, horizontal first, then vertical | 十 |
| The left-falling stroke before the right-falling one | 人 |
| Outside first (for enclosed characters, write the inside, then close the bottom) | 日 |
| The middle first, then left and right | 小 水 |
| A vertical stroke that cuts through comes last | 中 |
| A horizontal stroke that cuts through comes last | 女 |
Exceptions
The basic rules have exceptions, and typefaces or school teaching can differ in small details. When in doubt, check the stroke order given in a reference.
How to practise
In the square below, first watch the order with "Stroke order". Then write it in the same order with your finger. When you finish, the order, direction and shape are checked and the red goes in.