Free Printable Japanese Kana Chart

Both kana scripts cover the same 46 basic sounds. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words, grammar, and verb endings. Katakana is used for foreign loanwords, foreign names, and emphasis. You will see both constantly, so this chart keeps them side by side for quick reference.

Hiragana chart

The 46 basic hiragana. This is the script to learn first, because almost all beginner material and every grammar particle is written in it.

Katakana chart

The 46 basic katakana. The sounds are identical to hiragana, so once you know one script the second comes quickly. Katakana shows up on menus, signs, and product names everywhere in Japan.

How to use this chart

Print it and read one row a day, left to right, saying each sound aloud. The five columns are always a, i, u, e, o. The rows move through the consonant groups: vowels, then k, s, t, n, h, m, y, r, w, and the standalone n. Once you see that structure, the chart becomes a map rather than a list of 46 shapes to memorize. Most adults reach confident recognition in about three short sessions.

When you want active practice instead of a reference, the kana quiz tests recall with instant feedback, and the complete hiragana guide and katakana guide add mnemonics, audio, and a day-by-day schedule.

When you are ready to move from a paper chart to spaced review on your phone, Inku carries every kana here into audio-supported flashcards with handwriting practice, free for 7 days.