What is a haiku?
A haiku is a short Japanese poetic form, traditionally three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable count in English translation. Classical haiku evoke a single natural image or seasonal moment (a kigo, or season word) and often pivot on a kireji (cutting word) that juxtaposes two ideas. Basho's classic frog haiku is the archetype:
A frog jumps into the pond—
splash! Silence again.
Modern English-language haiku often break the 5-7-5 count, focusing on brevity, imagery, and juxtaposition instead. This checker still validates 5-7-5 because it is the most-taught pattern in schools and competitions, but the Free verse option lets you count without imposing a target.
Poetic forms this checker supports
| Form | Lines | Syllable pattern | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiku | 3 | 5-7-5 | Nature, season, single image |
| Senryu | 3 | 5-7-5 | Human nature, humor, satire (same shape as haiku) |
| Tanka | 5 | 5-7-5-7-7 | Longer haiku-plus-commentary; 31 total |
| Sedoka | 6 | 5-7-7-5-7-7 | Two-question form, often two speakers |
| Cinquain | 5 | 2-4-6-8-2 | American form by Adelaide Crapsey (1911) |
| Nonet | 9 | 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 | Descending syllable count; ends on a single word |
| Free verse | Any | None | Count only, no pass/fail |
How syllables are counted
Counting syllables in English is imperfect because spelling and pronunciation drifted apart centuries ago. This checker uses a lightweight vowel-group algorithm with these corrections:
- Count vowel groups (aeiouy runs).
- Subtract 1 for a trailing silent e (make → 1 syllable, not 2).
- Add 1 for a trailing consonant + le (table → 2 syllables, not 1).
- Merge common diphthongs (ai, ea, ee, ie, oa, ou, ue).
- Handle short words (3 letters or fewer) as 1 syllable.
💡 Uncertain words get flagged. When the algorithm sees a word it isn't confident about (unusual letter patterns, endings like -ed or -ily, or very long words), it marks that word amber. Click it to cycle through 1, 2, 3, or 4 syllables and set the correct count.
Verdict colors explained
- Green (match) — the line's syllable count equals the target for its position.
- Amber (near miss) — the line is one or two off. In Lax mode this still passes the overall verdict; in Strict mode it does not.
- Red (mismatch) — the line is off by more than two, or the poem has the wrong number of lines for the form.
The 5-7-5 debate
Not every haiku authority agrees that English haiku should be 5-7-5. The Haiku Foundation and organizations like NaHaiWriMo argue that Japanese on (morae) are shorter than English syllables — a strict 5-7-5 English haiku ends up longer than a traditional Japanese one. Many contemporary English haiku hover at 10–14 total syllables and focus on juxtaposition, seasonal reference, and concrete imagery rather than a strict count.
The Haiku Checker still validates 5-7-5 for two practical reasons: it is what most schools teach, and it is what most contest submissions require. If you write in the modern short-form tradition, switch to Free verse — the checker will count syllables without applying a pass/fail verdict.
When you need this
- Homework assignments that require a strict 5-7-5 haiku.
- Poetry contests with fixed forms (many haiku competitions still require 5-7-5).
- Drafting a Tanka, Cinquain, or Nonet where line-length targets matter.
- Songwriters checking line-length balance in a lyric.
- ESL learners practicing English syllable rhythm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 5-7-5 rule?
Traditional English haiku uses three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables — 17 total. It comes from a Western attempt to imitate Japanese on. The rule is widely taught in schools even though many modern poets consider it optional.
Is the syllable count always accurate?
The checker is accurate for common English but can be off by one for irregular words. When it isn't sure, it flags the word in amber so you can click and override the count.
What's the difference between Haiku and Senryu?
Same 5-7-5 shape, different focus. Haiku is nature and seasonal imagery; Senryu is human nature, satire, and humor. The checker treats them identically for syllables.
What is a Tanka?
A five-line Japanese form with 5-7-5-7-7 syllables (31 total). The first three lines feel like a haiku; the last two lines add commentary or emotional resolution.
What is a Cinquain?
An American five-line form devised by Adelaide Crapsey around 1911, with a 2-4-6-8-2 syllable pattern.
What is a Nonet?
A nine-line form with descending syllable counts 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 — 45 total. It ends on a single word.
Do modern haiku still use 5-7-5?
Many don't. Groups like NaHaiWriMo argue English haiku should be short and image-driven rather than count-driven. If you write in that tradition, use Free verse mode.
Can I override a word's syllable count?
Yes. Click any word in the per-word breakdown to cycle through 1–4 syllables. The line total updates instantly.
Is my poem saved?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser. If you want to keep a link to your poem, use the Share button — the poem is encoded in the URL only.
Related tools
References
- Haiku Society of America — Definitions of haiku, senryu, and tanka.
- National Haiku Writing Month (NaHaiWriMo) — Guidelines and 5-7-5 discussion.
- Adelaide Crapsey (1911) — Cinquain form specification.
- Syllable estimator: vowel-group heuristic with silent-e, consonant-le, and diphthong corrections.