Free Online Number Memory Test: Test Your Digit Span
How many digits can you remember? Test your short-term memory with this classic digit span test. Numbers get longer as you progress!
Number Memory Test
Test your short-term memory by remembering increasingly longer numbers. How many digits can you remember?
How it works:
- 1. A number will appear on screen briefly
- 2. Memorize the number before it disappears
- 3. Type the number you remember
- 4. Each correct answer increases the digit count
Note: Educational self-test only, not a medical diagnostic tool.
How It Works
Watch
A number appears on screen
Memorize
Remember before it disappears
Type
Enter the number you saw
Progress
Numbers get longer each level
Test Features
Progressive Difficulty
Numbers get longer as you advance through levels
Working Memory Test
Based on the classic digit span cognitive assessment
Any Device
Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
Privacy First
No registration required; data stays on your device
Track Progress
Monitor your improvement over time
Instant Feedback
Know immediately if your answer was correct
Digit Span Scale
About the Number Memory Test
Understand the science behind digit span, its historical roots, and real-world applications
What is Digit Span?
Digit span is one of the oldest and most widely used measures of short-term memory capacity. It refers to the maximum number of digits a person can correctly recall in order after a single presentation.
This seemingly simple task actually engages multiple cognitive systems: attention for encoding the digits, the phonological loop for maintaining them through subvocal rehearsal, and executive control for managing the sequence. That's why digit span is considered a reliable window into working memory function.
Most adults can hold about 7 items (±2) in short-term memory when tested auditorily. In our visual presentation format, where all digits are shown simultaneously, the average is slightly higher (8-9 digits) because visual presentation allows chunking and pattern recognition strategies.
Historical Background
Joseph Jacobs' Pioneering Work
British psychologist Joseph Jacobs first developed the digit span test as a standardized measure of mental capacity, establishing one of the earliest quantitative cognitive assessments in psychology.
Miller's Magical Number
George A. Miller published his landmark paper "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two," establishing that human short-term memory has a capacity of roughly 7 chunks of information.
Key Milestones
Scientific Principles
Phonological Loop
A key component of Baddeley's working memory model that maintains verbal information through subvocal rehearsal — essentially "repeating" the numbers in your mind to keep them active.
Chunking Strategy
Grouping individual digits into meaningful units (e.g., "1776" as one chunk instead of four digits). Effective chunking can dramatically increase the amount of information you retain.
Decay & Interference
Short-term memories naturally fade over seconds unless actively rehearsed. New incoming information can also interfere with existing memories, making longer sequences progressively harder.
Visual vs. Auditory Processing
Visual presentation (as in this test) engages the visuospatial sketchpad alongside the phonological loop, allowing for dual-coding strategies that may slightly enhance performance.
Application Fields
Cognitive Research
Study working memory capacity, attention, and information processing across different populations and conditions
Clinical Assessment
Digit span is a core subtest of the WAIS-IV and other neuropsychological batteries used to evaluate cognitive impairment
Educational Assessment
Evaluate working memory in children to identify learning difficulties and tailor educational strategies
Aging & Cognitive Decline
Track working memory capacity across the lifespan and screen for age-related cognitive decline
Number Memory in Daily Life
Phone Numbers & PINs
Remembering phone numbers, bank PINs, and verification codes relies directly on your digit span capacity.
Learning & Studying
Working memory capacity predicts academic performance — stronger digit span often correlates with better reading comprehension and math skills.
Professional Tasks
Data entry, accounting, programming, and many jobs require holding multiple numbers or codes in memory while performing tasks.
Mental Arithmetic
Calculating tips, splitting bills, or doing math in your head requires temporarily storing intermediate results — a core working memory task.
Following Directions
Remembering sequences of street numbers, addresses, or multi-step instructions depends on your short-term memory capacity.
Cognitive Health Monitoring
Digit span is a sensitive early indicator of cognitive changes. Regular self-testing can help you notice trends in your memory performance.
Tips to Improve Your Score
Use Chunking
Group digits into chunks of 3-4 (like phone numbers). "149265" becomes "149-265" — two chunks instead of six items.
Rehearse Immediately
Start repeating the number in your mind the moment you see it. Subvocal rehearsal keeps the phonological loop active.
Create Patterns
Look for dates, repeated digits, or meaningful sequences. "1945" is easier as a year than as four separate digits.
Practice Regularly
Working memory can be trained. Regular practice strengthens the neural pathways involved in short-term memory maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Number Memory Test
Important Note
This number memory test is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Results can vary based on factors like fatigue, distractions, and device. For clinical assessment, please consult a qualified professional.
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