Memory Test: 5 Free Tests for Numbers, Words and Patterns

Memory Test

Five short memory tests, each measuring a different kind of memory. Start with number memory right here, or pick another below.

How long a number can you remember?

A number flashes on screen, then disappears. Type it back. Every correct answer adds a digit.

Which memory test is which

“Memory” is not one ability. Psychologists split it into several systems, and each test above targets a different one.

Test	What it measures	Typical result
Number memory	Digit span, the classic short-term memory measure	7 to 8 digits
Verbal memory	Recognizing words you have already seen	25 to 45 words
Visual memory	Remembering a pattern of positions	7 to 9 levels
Sequence memory	Remembering positions in order	6 to 9 steps
Chimp test	Working memory for numbered positions	7 to 9 numbers

Short-term and working memory

Every test on this page measures short-term or working memory: information you hold in mind for a few seconds while you use it. This is the memory you rely on to keep a phone number in your head while you dial, or to remember the start of a sentence by the time you reach the end.

It has a small capacity. For most adults the limit is about seven digits or around four separate chunks of information. That limit is why these tests get hard so quickly.

In the model most researchers use, proposed by Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch in 1974, working memory has a speech-based part and a visual part. The number and verbal tests lean on the first. The visual, sequence and chimp tests lean on the second.

What these tests do not measure

They do not test long-term memory, such as recalling what you did last weekend or facts you learned at school. They also cannot tell you whether your memory is medically normal. Sleep, stress, distraction and simple unfamiliarity with the task all move the scores.

Use them the way you would use a stopwatch on a run: to see where you are today, and whether practice is making a difference.

How to get a fair result

Take each test two or three times. The first run is mostly learning the rules.
Test when you are rested and not distracted.
Look at the average in the Your scores panel on each test page, not only your best run.
Compare with yourself over time. Scores are saved in your browser and listed on the dashboard.

Memory Test FAQ

Which memory test should I take first?

Start with the number memory test. It is the classic digit span task, takes under a minute and gives you a number that is easy to compare, since most adults remember about seven digits.

Can an online memory test detect memory loss or dementia?

No. These tests are for curiosity and self-tracking. Screening for memory problems is done by a clinician using tools such as the MMSE or MoCA together with a medical history. If you are worried about your memory, see a doctor.

Why are my scores so different between the tests?

Because they measure different systems. Memory for words and digits relies on a speech-based store, while memory for positions and patterns relies on a visual one. It is common to be strong in one and average in the other.

Can I improve my memory test scores?

Yes, mostly by learning strategies. Chunking digits, picturing words as images and seeing squares as shapes can raise scores a lot. The gains are largest on the test you practice.