Digit Span Test (Online Tool)
The digit span test is a way of measuring the storage capacity of a person’s working memory: A testperson is visually or auditorily exposed to a sequence of digits one after the other. Right afterwards, the test subject has to recall the correct digits in the same order. Most people manage to recap around seven digits. I have written an online tool that lets the user determine their digit span test score. It is available at the website tools.timodenk.com/digit-span-test.
The tool’s most important features are auditive (English) and visual mode, adjustable time between two digits (1000 ms by default), and neither signup nor plugin requirements. You can try it in the iframe below.
More information about the working memory, a system temporarily holding information, can be found in the corresponding Wikipedia article. Back in 1956, George A. Miller has published an article — one of the most cited psychology papers — in which he examines the number 7, which is not only the digit span of most people. It can be found here: The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information
A blessing from above, no exaggeration. Great transformative program.
Thanks, greatly appreciated!
the speed of the blue line makes it impossible for me. Remove it.
is it cheating if i break up my number into segments or repeat the numbers in my head? I.e if it says
1,2,3,4,5,6 if i repeat those is that cheating, or if i read it as 123, 456?
I don’t think that’s cheating. I guess you can use any method you like to remember the numbers. 🙂
Added two new modes (reversed and ordered) which make that a lot harder. Try again 😉
oh, interesting test. I stopped at 8 symbols
It was a nice test. I stopped at 7.
gr8! is it good 10 digit forward 8 reverse with little of pratice?
Cool test, I got 13
Does the test have any relevance to the ethnic and language abilities of the person doing the test?
12 first try, got 13, I got one that was 4388888…. etc. on 14 setting, please fix that, totally ridiculous to have so much repetition
Would the forward digit span just be short term since it requires no manipulation? I can reach 7 on that one fine, but the others are quite a struggle.
Hello, We’re trying to conduct a study about screen time and memory function, we would like to use this test for it measures the capacity of the working memory. I was wondering how can we somehow access this website? So that we can see the results of those who will be participating in our study. I’m hoping for your reply and consideration with regards to this. Thank you!
You are invited to use the tool for your study. Are you looking for this link? https://tools.timodenk.com/digit-span-test
How can we have access to the results? We’re conducting the study online since we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
You’d have to conduct the testing yourself. A good way would be to have each participant take the test live on videocall/screen sharing.
Perhaps you should fix the character repetition that happens quite often if it’s going to be used for a study… especially considering the little effort it takes to fix this
Hello, I am conducting a study into social media use, memory loss and loneliness. I am looking to do this online and need to find a way to add the digit span test into my study – did you find a way to do this online? Thanks!
for anyone who is looking for an alternative, use this website: https://brainscale.net/
there is a “memory span” section. if you need to track people’s progress, get them to make accounts on that website and use the memory span section. their stats will be available on their profiles.
Thanks for sharing! That’s certainly helpful 🙂
interestingly i can’t get past 7 in forward but can do up to 10 in ordered. Thoughts?
Hello, we are conducting a study on hearing loss and need a measure of verbal digit span. Have you thought of making one of these tests without the visual component (sound alone)? Thanks!
Hey, sounds interesting! I haven’t thought about that option yet, so thanks for sharing the idea! I’m intrigued, but do not want to allocate the time for it these days.
Finally got 25! It’s been lots of fun. Thank you!
Can you please update your random number generation procedure? It seems that your tool generate repetitive numbers frequently
Example : 22227023
Should be : 58179324
Find this line in tools.timodenk.com\page\logic\digit-span.js:
var index = Math.floor(Math.random() * this.symbols.length);
Replace with this line:
var index = Math.floor(Math.random() * this.symbols.length); if (index == prevdigit) { index++ }; if (index == 10) { index = 0 }; var prevdigit = index;
Nice test
Hi Timo,
Thanks for putting this up!
It would be great if it were possible for this to generate a score. Rather than being able to repeat and skip numbers, it would simply move you on to a longer number each time until you made a mistake, then you are told what you got up to. This would allow for comparison across people, for instance for use in academic work. Also, in the standard test, it usually starts with 3 digits and then increases.
Should I be concerned with a low score ? what is the link between number memory and intelligence ? Do certain conditions limit your span for example ADHD ?
You shouldn’t be concerned unless it’s extremely low. The average score is around 7. Either way, there is a correlation with intelligence, but it’s a certain aspect of your IQ. https://www.nlsinfo.org/content/cohorts/nlsy79-children/topical-guide/assessments/wechsler-intelligence-scale-children#:~:text=In%20Digits%20Forward%2C%20the%20child,as%20the%20child%20responds%20correctly.
Has more to do with your short term memory, than anything
God… My max is 6 in every mod. I can’t pass 7. But I have good memory for others thing. Why…
Don’t worry, be happy, I’d say! Cheers!
I mean.. my result are somewhat paradoxal. Direct order I can reach 12 – 13 consistently, reversed around 11-12 and ordered 8.. This last result seems a bit weird.
Hi Timo,
Thanks for the tool. Really helpful! How should I justify it in my paper? Could you please provide a reference article on which you built this tool?
Glad you like it! Unfortunately, there is no reference article; I built it purely based on what I and commenters considered useful. When using the tool in your research please be sure to reference the tool itself.
Nice test, how good is 14?