To obtain a character recognition device with improved efficiency in inputting and in operability by setting the optimum size and number of character frames corresponding to the character kind of an object to be recognized.

A character kind specifying part displays to specify a character kind at an input/output tablet so as to allow a user to specify the character kind, and when the user specifies the character kind (S1), information on the character kind is written in a working RAM 100 (S2). At the recognition of a character, a character recognition part refers to the information of the character kind written in the working RAM and defines the pertinent character kind and a character kind whose character shape is simpler than the character kind as recognition objects. Also, when the user specifies the character kind, a character frame control part calculates the size and number of the character frame optimum for the character kind (S3) and displays the character frame at the input/output tablet (S5).