Stroke Order Rules in Mandarin Chinese

1. In general, strokes proceed from TOP to BOTTOM.

2. When strokes intersect or cross, HORIZONTAL strokes precede VERTICAL strokes.

3. When both components appear in a character, the LEFT LEG precedes the RIGHT LEG.

4. In general, strokes proceed from LEFT to RIGHT.

5. When a portion is enclosed by a "wall," OUTSIDE precedes INSIDE, then SEALING STROKE.

6. When symmetrical around a central stroke, MIDDLE precedes TWO SIDES.