Skritter is a tool for learning Chinese and Japanese writing with stroke-level feedback, tone practice, audio playback, definition practice, and progress feedback. Skritter is owned by Ohio-based start-up Inkren.

Skritter began when one of the founders saw a Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS

The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

 game using the stylus and thought a game-like approach to learning Chinese character

Chinese character

Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...

s would be effective. The service started in beta in 2008 and was launched in April 2009. In August 2009 Skritter partnered with ChinesePod

ChinesePod

ChinesePod is a web-based Chinese language-learning service composed of three key components: audio lessons, mobile & online review tools, and live speaking practice with professional Mandarin teachers. The service was founded in October 2005 in Shanghai, P. R...

 to add additional audio recordings and integrate the two sites.

Skritter was described in The New Yorker

The New Yorker

The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...

as "a pleasant distraction," and a blogger for CNET Asia said it "has the potential to boost any student's Chinese character reading and writing ability quickly and efficiently."