Haiku checker
Type or paste a haiku. Each line is checked against the 5-7-5 pattern as you type.
Questions
- What is the 5-7-5 rule?
- An English haiku traditionally has three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables, 17 in all. It comes from Japanese haiku, which count sound units called on rather than syllables.
- Does a haiku have to be 5-7-5?
- No. Many modern English haiku are shorter than 17 syllables. 5-7-5 is still what most teachers and contests expect, so this checker tests for it.
- What else makes a haiku?
- A haiku usually captures one moment in nature, often with a season word (kigo) and a turn between two images (a cutting word, or kireji).