Katakana Match

Learn katakana with a memory game — match each character to its reading

Game setup

Each pair links a katakana character with the matching hiragana (e.g. ア and あ).

Pairs: 8 (4 × 4 = 16 cards)

* 4 to 18 pairs. Kana are picked at random from the 46 basic (seion) set; the board is auto-laid-out as the closest rectangle.

Time limit

What is Katakana Match?

Katakana Match teaches katakana through the mechanics of a memory game. In a normal memory game you match identical faces, but here one pair is two different cards — a katakana card and its reading card — so lining up ア with あ, for example, leaves the character and its reading sitting face-up side by side. Each match burns the this-shape-is-this-sound pairing into your eyes, making it repetition practice through play. Two modes are available: katakana to hiragana (default) and katakana to romaji. Questions come from the 46 basic kana, and pair count is adjustable from 4 to 18. Mismatched cards stay shown a little longer (about 1.1 seconds) before flipping back, giving you time to learn the reading. Katakana cards are white and reading cards are blue, so it's obvious at a glance which is which. You can set a time limit, and reloading mid-game resumes from localStorage, so you can make progress bit by bit.

How to play

Choose a mode: Katakana ↔ Romaji or Katakana ↔ Hiragana.
Use the slider to set the number of pairs from 4 to 18. More pairs means a bigger board and a harder game.
Pick a time limit: none, 1, 3, or 5 minutes.
After starting, all cards are dealt face down. Tap one card to flip it — it may be a katakana character or a reading.
Tap a second card. If the character and the reading belong together (e.g. ア and a), the pair stays face up; otherwise both flip back after a short pause.
Use that pause to read and remember the character and its sound before the cards turn back over.
Clear every pair to win. Try to finish in as few moves — and as little time — as possible.
Change the mode, pair count, or timer and play again to cover more of the kana.

Great for

Katakana beginners
Start with a small pair count and no timer to learn the shapes and sounds at your own pace, one handful of kana at a time.
Telling look-alike kana apart
Confusing pairs like シ / ツ and ソ / ン show up mixed together, so you naturally train the distinctions that trip up learners.
Bridging from hiragana
If you already know hiragana, the katakana-to-hiragana mode maps each new character onto one you recognize.
Daily review
Short rounds make it easy to revisit the kana every day so they stick in long-term memory.
A study break that still counts
Use the 1-minute mode for a quick brain break between tasks that doubles as a bit of review.
Speed challenges
Once you know the kana, take on 18 pairs with a tight timer and race to beat your own fewest-moves and fastest-time records.

Privacy

Katakana Match runs entirely in your browser. It sends no data anywhere and makes no external network requests at all. Your in-progress game is saved only in your device's localStorage, so you can pick up where you left off even after reloading the page.

FAQ

Q. Is it free to use?: A. Yes, it is completely free with no sign-up required, and there are no usage limits.
Q. Which katakana are included?: A. All 46 basic (seion) katakana, from ア to ン. Dakuten, handakuten, and small (combination) kana are not included, to keep it focused for beginners.
Q. What's the difference between the two modes?: A. In Katakana ↔ Romaji you match a character with its romanized reading (ア and a). In Katakana ↔ Hiragana you match it with the matching hiragana (ア and あ).
Q. How many pairs can I choose?: A. Anywhere from 4 to 18 with the slider. Kana are picked at random each game, and the board is laid out as the nearest rectangle.
Q. Can I resume if I close the page mid-game?: A. Yes. Progress is saved automatically on your device, so you can resume after reloading or revisiting. Starting over clears the saved state.
Q. Can I change the time limit?: A. You can choose none, 1, 3, or 5 minutes. Pick no limit to study at your own pace.
Q. Can I play on a smartphone?: A. Yes. Tap controls are supported, so it plays smoothly on phones, tablets, and PCs alike.
Q. Does it teach hiragana too?: A. It focuses on katakana, but the katakana-to-hiragana mode shows both scripts together, which is handy for reinforcing hiragana at the same time.