SoundarySpatial Memory Test (Corsi Block) — Free Visuospatial Working Memory Span
A free online spatial memory test based on the Corsi block-tapping task: watch squares light up on a 3×3 grid and tap them back in the same order. Seven levels from 3 to 9 squares in about 2–4 minutes give you your visuospatial working memory span. A self-check, not a diagnosis.
What's included
- Time
- ~4 min
- Price
- Free
What it measures
This spatial memory test measures the capacity of visuospatial working memory: how many locations you can hold in order for a few seconds. Squares on a 3×3 grid light up one after another, and once they go dark you tap them back in the same sequence. Known as the Corsi block-tapping task, it is one of the longest-used ways of measuring spatial span in neuropsychology.
Because locations are hard to rehearse in words, the task taps a different side of working memory than digit span or other verbal tasks. It relates to everyday skills such as finding your way, reading charts and remembering where things are on a screen, and it is one of the first measures to slip when attention and concentration are off.
How to read your score
The test starts with 3 squares and adds one each time you succeed, up to 9 squares across 7 levels. The first mistake ends the test, and the longest sequence you completed becomes your spatial span. The result screen labels 8 or more as excellent, 6–7 as good, 5 as average, 4 as below average and 3 or fewer as a range that benefits from practice.
A typical adult span is around 5 squares. Because a single slip ends the test, scores can easily move by a square depending on how you feel that day, so trends across several sessions tell you more than any one result. Each square lights up for 650 milliseconds, so a dim screen or a device with laggy touch response can shift the outcome slightly.
What affects the result and how to use it
Lack of sleep, caffeine, time of day and background noise show up quickly in working memory scores. Seeing the whole grid on a large screen versus a small phone can also make a difference, so keep the same device and a similar time of day when tracking trends. Spatial span tends to decline gently with age, and modest gains from practice are common when you repeat the test.
Soundary saves your results so you can see how they change over time. If you stay at 3 squares or fewer across several sessions on days when you feel fine, or a clear drop from your usual level lasts for weeks, try the attention and mood checks as well, and consider a professional evaluation if you notice difficulties in daily life. This is a screening-style self-check and does not replace a diagnosis.
FAQ
How many squares count as a normal spatial memory score?
Around 5 squares is considered average for adults. This test labels 6 or more as good, 5 as average, 4 as below average and 3 or fewer as a range that benefits from practice. Since one mistake ends the test, results can swing with your condition, so measure a few times and look at the trend.
Is this the same as the Corsi block-tapping test?
It is an online implementation that follows the Corsi block-tapping procedure. The original used nine wooden blocks tapped by an examiner; Soundary moves this to a 3×3 on-screen grid with 7 levels from 3 to 9 squares. It is not administered with standardized norms like a clinical test, so treat the result as a reference.
Can I improve my spatial memory?
Enough sleep and regular exercise are the most basic conditions for keeping working memory sharp. Chunking the lit squares into a single shape or path can also help. Repeating the test tends to raise scores a little through practice, so judge real improvement by looking at trends several weeks apart.
Does a low score mean dementia or ADHD?
No. This is not a diagnostic tool, and a single low score can come from fatigue, tension or the device alone. If your scores stay low on days when you feel well and you also notice memory or attention difficulties in daily life, that is the time to ask a psychiatrist or neurologist about a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.
Source
This task is based on the paradigm from: Corsi, P. M. (1972). Human memory and the medial temporal region of the brain [Doctoral dissertation]. McGill University. This task is a Soundary implementation based on a published academic paradigm. It is not any commercial test product or its test form.
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This is a self-screening tool, not a medical diagnosis. If the result concerns you, please consult a mental health professional.