Chimp Memory
Play the chimp test free online: numbers flash on the board, hide, and you tap them in order. Each level adds a number. Test your visual working memory and climb the leaderboard.
How to play
- Memorise: Numbered tiles appear in random places on the board. Take in where each number is.
- They hide: After a moment the numbers are covered. You can also tap 1 early to start straight away.
- Tap in order: Tap the tiles from 1 upwards. Clear the board and the next level adds a tile.
What is the chimp test?
Chimp Memory is based on the famous "chimp test". Researchers at Kyoto University’s Primate Research Institute showed young chimpanzees numerals in random positions on a touchscreen, covered them, and asked them to touch the positions in order. In a 2007 study (Inoue & Matsuzawa, Current Biology), a young chimpanzee named Ayumu recalled the positions faster and more accurately than the human adults tested, especially when the numbers were shown only briefly.
The task measures visual working memory: holding several locations in mind at once, in the right order. On Brainizz the game starts with five numbers and adds one every level, so it quickly finds the edge of your memory.
Tips for a higher score
- Trace a path: follow the numbers 1, 2, 3 as one route across the board rather than as separate spots.
- Group the board into regions (top-left, middle, bottom-right) and remember which numbers sit in each.
- Use the full memorising time on harder levels; tap 1 early only when you are sure.
- If you miss, look at the revealed board: seeing where you went wrong helps on the next run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the chimp test?
A visual working-memory test in which numbers appear briefly in random positions and you must select those positions in ascending order after the numbers are hidden. It is named after research in which young chimpanzees did this task remarkably well.
How do I play Chimp Memory?
Watch the numbered tiles, wait for them to hide (or tap 1 to start early), then tap the tiles in order from 1 upwards. Each cleared level adds one more number. One wrong tap ends the run.
Do I need an account to play?
No. Anyone can play for free. A free Brainizz account saves your scores, adds the XP you earn to your Brainizz total and puts you on the Chimp Memory leaderboard.
How is XP awarded?
Signed-in players earn XP for every level they clear, with more XP per level as the levels get harder. Brain games can add up to 100 XP a day to your total, and that XP counts on the main Brainizz leaderboard too.
How does the leaderboard rank players?
By each player’s best run: highest level first, then the most numbers remembered, then accuracy and time. You can view today, this week or all time.