Number Memory Test: Digit Span Practice
Digit span, remembering a string of digits and repeating it back, is one of the most familiar short-term memory tasks. Versions of it appear in well-known psychological test batteries. This game starts with three digits and gets longer as you succeed.
How to play
- Press “Begin Test” and look at the digits shown on screen.
- When they disappear, type them into the box.
- Press “Submit Answer”. If you are right, the next number is one digit longer.
How much can you hold?
A classic 1956 paper by George Miller suggested that people can hold about seven items in short-term memory. More recent work points to a lower figure, nearer four chunks. The difference is chunking: if you group digits into meaningful pieces, each piece counts as one item.
Chunking tips
- Break digits into groups, for example 3-3-2 for an eight-digit number.
- Look for patterns such as years, repeated digits or counting up.
- Say the groups in a rhythm, the way phone numbers are spoken.
- Do not stare at the number. Look once, group it, then rehearse it.
Common questions
Why are phone numbers split into groups?
For the same reason as chunking: groups of two to four digits are much easier to hold than a single long string.
Can I improve my score?
Strategy helps a lot, especially chunking. Whether the underlying capacity can be increased is still debated.
Is this a medical test?
No. It is a casual practice game and not an assessment of memory problems. If you are worried about your memory, speak to a doctor.
Calm & Focus tools are for relaxation and self-awareness, not medical diagnosis or treatment.