Dual n-back, in your browser
Dual n-back is one of the toughest working memory games there is. Every turn you see a square and hear a letter, and you have to say whether either one matches what happened N turns earlier. At 2-back it already takes full concentration.
Play free online from 1-back to 4-back. Your best accuracy for each level is saved, so you can watch yourself improve. It is a game for focus and practice, not a medical assessment.
Where the n-back task comes from
The single n-back task was introduced by the psychologist Wayne Kirchner in 1958 to study short-term memory. Decades later, researchers combined two streams, a position and a sound, into the dual n-back. A 2008 study reported that training on it raised scores on reasoning tests, and the game became famous as a way to “boost IQ”.
Does dual n-back raise IQ?
Probably not in any lasting, general way. Later studies with better control groups, and several large reviews, found that dual n-back reliably improves dual n-back and closely related memory tasks, but not general intelligence. Our article, does dual n-back increase IQ, walks through the evidence. It is still one of the most demanding focus exercises you can do in a few minutes.
How to play
A square lights up on a 3×3 grid and a letter is spoken at the same time. Press Position when the square is in the same place as N turns ago, and Sound when the letter is the same as N turns ago. At 1-back you compare with the previous turn; at 2-back, with the turn before that. Turn your sound on before you start.
How to improve your level
- Start at 1-back and only move up once you score well.
- Keep a rolling list. Say the last N positions and letters in your head, dropping the oldest each turn.
- Do not guess. Only press when you are sure. Guessing makes your accuracy meaningless.
- Keep sessions short. Fifteen to twenty minutes is plenty; accuracy drops fast when you are tired.
How to play Dual N-Back
- Each turn, one of nine squares lights up and a letter is spoken.
- Press Position (or the A key) when the square is in the same place as N turns ago.
- Press Sound (or the L key) when the letter is the same as N turns ago.
- A round has 20 scored turns. Your score is the share of turns you judged correctly.
Dual N-Back tips
Start at 1-back
At 1-back you compare with the turn just before. It is the best way to learn the controls before stepping up.
Keep a rolling list
Silently repeat the last N items, dropping the oldest each turn. Keep one list for places and one for letters.
Don't press when unsure
Wrong presses count against you the same as missed matches. When in doubt, let the turn pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is dual n-back?
Dual n-back is a working memory task where you track two streams at once, positions and sounds, and spot matches with the item N steps back. It became popular through memory training research.
Does dual n-back increase IQ?
The research is mixed. People get better at the task itself, but lasting effects on general intelligence are debated. Play it as a demanding focus game, not as a medical treatment.
Do I need sound?
Yes, the letters are spoken aloud, so turn your sound on. If your browser can't speak, the letter is shown on screen instead.
