InkSeal is an iOS app for English-speaking beginners who want to learn Chinese characters visually through hanzi mnemonics, component breakdowns, and spaced-repetition review.

How much does InkSeal cost?

The first 100 formally learned characters are free with full functionality. Full access to the 1,799-character library is available as a monthly or yearly plan or as a one-time lifetime unlock. Current prices are shown on the App Store. There is no advertising and no required account.

Is InkSeal a full Chinese course?

InkSeal focuses on Chinese character recognition, visual memory, components, words, and review. It is designed to complement broader Chinese courses rather than replace speaking, listening, or grammar practice.

Visual hanzi learning for beginners

Learn Chinese characters by seeing what they are.

InkSeal turns hanzi into quiet visual mnemonics. Long-press a character, reveal the picture inside the strokes, then review it until the shape sticks.

Download on the App Store How it works

Try 100 characters free. No ads, no required account.

1,799 HSK-subset Hanzi

260 components

5,300 example words

3,562 confusable pairs

The method

From random shape to memorable scene.

Beginner learners often experience Chinese characters as arbitrary marks. InkSeal gives each character a purpose-designed visual mnemonic so the written form becomes something you can inspect, remember, and revisit.

The app is built around a simple rhythm: focus on the character, long-press to reveal the image, open the detail page to understand the components, then review later through spaced repetition.

Visual mnemonics

Every supported Hanzi has an illustration that keeps the character's structure visible inside the artwork.

Component breakdowns

Learn recurring radicals and components so new characters stop feeling unrelated.

Review that respects memory

Spaced repetition brings characters back before they fade, with special attention to lookalikes.

Calm by design

No noisy game loops. InkSeal feels closer to a modern study notebook than a streak machine.

Illustration library

A different scene for every character.

No template, no stock art. Each character gets its own purpose-designed ink illustration so the shape and the meaning land together.

Illustration for the Chinese character 小 (xiǎo, small) — 小xiǎo · small

Illustration for the Chinese character 算 (suàn, calculate) — 算suàn · calculate

Illustration for the Chinese character 狗 (gǒu, dog) — 狗gǒu · dog

Illustration for the Chinese character 壶 (hú, pot) — 壶hú · pot

Illustration for the Chinese character 卖 (mài, to sell) — 卖mài · sell

Illustration for the Chinese character 夹 (jiā, to clip) — 夹jiā · clip

Browse by theme, component, or HSK level.

The Library helps you explore characters by meaning, repeated shapes, and course level.

Practice recognition, not handwriting.

InkSeal focuses on reading and recognition for zero-to-beginner learners.

Pricing

Start free. Go as deep as you like.

Learn your first 100 characters free, with full functionality. Continue through all 1,799 characters with a monthly or yearly plan — or own the library outright with a one-time lifetime unlock. Current prices are shown on the App Store.

Get InkSeal on the App Store

First 100 characters free, full functionality
Lifetime unlock available
No ads, no required account
Restore purchases through your Apple ID

Frequently asked

Who is InkSeal for?: English-speaking beginners who want to recognize Chinese characters and remember their shapes.
Is this a replacement for Duolingo, HelloChinese, or a textbook?: No. InkSeal is focused on visual character learning. It pairs well with broader courses for grammar, listening, and speaking.
Does InkSeal teach handwriting?: No. The first version focuses on reading and recognition, not stroke-order handwriting practice.
Does InkSeal require an account?: No. There is no email sign-up, no ads, and no tracking across other apps or websites.