How it works
- Press Start and memorize the number on the screen before the bar runs out.
- Type the number you saw and press Submit.
- Each correct answer adds a digit. One mistake ends the game, and your longest number becomes your score.
How long a number can people remember?
Short-term memory holds about seven items, give or take two, according to a classic 1956 paper by the psychologist George Miller. Many people reach 7 or 8 digits in this test; 10 or more is excellent.
Tricks that help
Split the number into groups, the way phone numbers are written: 4831 9027 is easier than 48319027. Saying the digits to yourself with a rhythm helps too, and so does linking groups to dates or numbers you already know.
Questions and answers
How long is the number shown?
One second plus 0.6 seconds for each digit: a 5-digit number stays on screen for 4 seconds.
Why does it start with 3 digits?
Almost everyone remembers one or two digits, so the test starts at three to get to the interesting part sooner.
Can it train my memory?
Practice makes you better at this test, mostly because you learn grouping tricks. It is a fun way to keep your mind active.
More tests
Your results stay in your browser: we don’t store them on our servers.
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