Brain GamesBrain Games
Short games that test your focus, speed and logic. Play one right here, then try the rest.
Warm up with this one: tap the numbers from 1 to 16 as fast as you can.
Games that test how well you keep your attention on one thing and ignore the rest.
- Schulte tableTap the numbers from 1 upward as fast as you can. The clock starts when you press Start and stops on the last number.Play ▸
- Stroop testA color word shows up in a different color of ink. Press the ink color as fast as you can. Your brain wants to read the word, and that's the whole test.Play ▸
Classic puzzles where you plan a few moves ahead.
Guessing games where an AI plays the other side.
Brain games you can play in a minute
Each game here takes one to five minutes and tests one thing. The Schulte table is about keeping your eyes and attention steady. The Stroop test checks how well you ignore a word you can’t help reading. The Tower of Hanoi is about planning moves ahead. In 20 Questions you either ask smart questions or answer an AI that asks them.
Your times are saved on your device, so you can come back tomorrow and see if you got faster. Nothing to install and no account.
An honest word about brain training
You’ll get better at these games with practice. That’s real. What’s not proven is that it makes your everyday memory or IQ better. Treat them like a crossword: a good break for your head, not a treatment.
FAQ
- What are brain games?
- Short games that put one mental skill on the spot: focus, speed, memory or planning. Here that means a Schulte table, the Stroop test, the Tower of Hanoi and 20 Questions against an AI.
- Do brain games make you smarter?
- They make you better at the games you practice. A large 2016 review of brain-training research (Simons and colleagues) found little proof that this carries over to everyday memory or intelligence. In 2016 the maker of Lumosity also paid $2 million to settle US Federal Trade Commission charges over its brain-training ads. So play because it's fun, not as medicine.
- Do I need to download anything or sign up?
- No. Every game runs in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer. Your best times are saved on your own device.
- Are these games good for older adults?
- They're easy to start and you set the pace, so many people enjoy them at any age. They can't diagnose or prevent memory problems. If you're worried about memory, see a doctor.