Kanji Stroke Order

Clay: Kanji stroke order is very important: 
You: Why?
Clay: Because, well, it just is!

BETTER REASONS: 1) By following the set order, kanji will look more like it should and therefore be easier to read & 2) you can remember new kanji better by knowing the order to write them & 3) Kanji dictionaries often list kanji by stroke number & 4) kanji is an art form in Japan and they will know when you cheat! :) 

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If you only have time to remember one thing get this:

START FROM THE TOP-LEFT OF THE KANJI AND WORK DOWN TO THE BOTTOM-RIGHT

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RULE #1 : From top to bottom

三 san (three 3) 

言　(to say)

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RULE #2 : From left to right

州 (state)

 And when you have both a vertical & horizontal go horizontal first 

十 (10)

But it wouldn't be fun without exceptions!

田 (rice field)

王 (king)

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RULE #3 : If you have left, right and center options, work from the center

水 (water) 

糸 (thread) 

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RULE #4 : If there is an outside bit surrounding an inside bit, the outside comes first

国 (country) 

風 (wind)

Except when the outside is shaped like a "C"

区 (district)

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RULE #5 : If there is a vertical line going through other parts, it comes last or at least later

中 (inside, middle) 

書 (write, writing)

And if there is a horizontal line that overlaps other parts, it goes last

女 (woman) 

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RULE #6 : If there is an "X" or a crossing of diagonals the top-right to bottom-left goes first

文 (literature)

人 (person)

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RULE #7 : If there is a , it goes last:

進 (proceed)

　

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These 7 rules will not cover all kanji, but knowing these rules will help to figure out most kanji