To provide a character recognition dictionary, character recognition dictionary preparing method and character recognition method with high classification performance and recognition performance by broad classification and a fast recognition speed without adding a new dictionary template.

The character recognition dictionary 16 comprises a template 161 for the broad recognition, a template 162 shared by the broad recognition and detail recognition and a template 163 for the detail recognition, all having the same structure. Each template is distinguished by a value of a template flag section 23. The template for the broad recognition is changed over to the template shared by the broad recognition and detail recognition in response to conditions. Since two stage character recognition in sequence of the broad recognition and the detail recognition is carried out by using the character recognition dictionary comprising templates of such structures in character recognition, there is no need to add a new dictionary template.