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Chimp TestMemorize the positions and tap the numbers in order
Numbers appear on a grid. The moment you tap “1”, the rest are hidden, so tap them in order from memory. Each success adds one more number, and three misses end the test.
Numbers remembered
0
When the test ends, the score is collected anonymously. No name is sent.
How the chimp test works
- Press “Start”. The numbers 1 to 4 appear around the grid.
- When you have memorized the positions, tap “1”. The other numbers are hidden at that moment.
- Tap the hidden numbers in order: 2, 3, 4… Get them all right and one more number is added. A wrong tap is a miss and you retry the same count. Three misses end the test.
This task became famous through research at Kyoto University’s Primate Research Institute, where a chimpanzee named Ayumu remembered the positions of briefly shown numbers more accurately than humans. That is why it is often called the chimp test. Your score is the largest count you completed without a mistake.
Rating guide
The ratings are this site’s own guide for play in a web browser. They are not a medical assessment or diagnosis.
| Numbers remembered | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 | Keep practicing | Try picturing a line that connects the numbers in order. |
| 6–7 | Typical | About the same memory span as most people. |
| 8–9 | Good | Clearly more than typical. |
| 10–11 | Very good | An excellent short-term memory. |
| 12+ | Top level | A memory that could rival a chimpanzee. |
Why your results change
- How you memorize: Remembering the numbers as a shape or path is often said to work better than memorizing each position separately.
- Focus and condition: Tiredness or sleepiness tends to lower how many you can remember.
- Screen size: On small screens the numbers sit closer together and can be harder to tell apart.
- Practice: Playing repeatedly helps you find your own technique.
Tips to remember more
- Picture a line connecting the numbers from 1 upward.
- Group nearby numbers and memorize them as chunks.
- Do not rush to tap “1”; look at the whole grid first.
- Imagine your finger’s path so your hand remembers the order too.
Frequently asked questions
What is an average score?
Adults playing for the first time often stop somewhere around 6–9 numbers. This page treats 6–7 as “typical”. With a good technique some people remember more than 10.
Why is it called the chimp test?
Research at Kyoto University’s Primate Research Institute showed chimpanzees outperforming humans at remembering the positions of briefly shown numbers, which drew wide attention. This page is an easy-to-play format inspired by that task.
What happens when I make a mistake?
A wrong tap ends that round and the correct positions are briefly shown. You try again with the same count in a new layout. Three misses end the test.
Can I improve my memory?
Scores often rise as you get used to a technique, though how much varies from person to person.
Is my result sent anywhere?
When the test ends, the number of numbers remembered, the play time, your device type (computer, phone or tablet) and the page language are sent. No name or email is collected, and IP addresses are not stored with scores. Unfinished tests are not sent. Your personal best is stored only in this browser.