Free flashcard maker with spaced repetition
Free TutorAura tool · no sign-up · Updated
Paste a list of questions and answers, one per line with a dash between them, and the cards are ready. Study mode uses the Leitner box system: a card you get right moves up a box and comes back less often; a card you miss goes back to box 1 and comes back soon. Cards are saved in your browser, with no account and nothing sent to us.
Making cards quickly
Type or paste one card per line, with the question and answer separated by a dash:
- photosynthesis - how plants make glucose from light, water and carbon dioxide
- estar - to be (temporary states)
- 7 × 8 - 56
Good cards ask one thing. Split long answers into several cards, and use your own words rather than copying a textbook.
Why flashcards work (when used well)
Flashcards are a form of retrieval practice: trying to recall the answer strengthens memory more than rereading it (Roediger and Karpicke, 2006). Two rules matter most:
- Say the answer before you flip. Recognising the answer isn't the same as recalling it.
- Spread the reviews out. In a study of flashcard learning, spacing reviews was more effective than cramming the same cards, even though most learners thought cramming worked better (Kornell, 2009).
See active recall, spaced repetition and the Leitner system.
What to use flashcards for
| Works well | Better another way |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary, definitions, key dates | Long processes (explain them instead) |
| Formulas and what each part means | Maths methods (do practice questions) |
| Quotations for English literature | Essay planning (write plans) |
A simple study routine
- Day 1: make the cards and study them all.
- Each day after: run a study round. Box 1 cards come up every time; higher boxes come up less often.
- Before a test: a final round of all the cards.
Ten to fifteen minutes a day is enough for most decks. If you keep missing a card, rewrite it: break it into two cards or add an example.
Your cards and privacy
Your decks are saved in your own browser, on this device, so there's no account to create and nothing is uploaded. That also means clearing your browser data removes them, and they won't appear on another device. If you want to keep a deck, keep a copy of the list you pasted in. For tips on writing good cards, see how to make flashcards and the Leitner system.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a colon or tab instead of a dash?
Yes. A dash, colon, vertical bar or tab between the question and answer all work, so you can paste two columns from a spreadsheet.
Can I share or export my cards?
Not yet. Cards are saved in this browser only. Keep your original list somewhere safe so you can paste it again on another device.
Where are my flashcards saved?
In this browser only, using local storage. They stay until you delete them or clear your browser data, and nothing is sent to us.
What is a Leitner box?
A spaced repetition system where cards move up a box each time you get them right and are reviewed less often, while missed cards return to box 1.
How many cards should I study at once?
A session of 20 to 50 cards is plenty. It's better to study a few cards often than a huge deck once.
Sources
- Optimising learning using flashcards: Spacing is more effective than cramming. Applied Cognitive Psychology (Kornell), 2009.
- Test-Enhanced Learning: Taking Memory Tests Improves Long-Term Retention. Psychological Science (Roediger and Karpicke), 2006.
Keep reading
Active recall: the study technique that beats rereading
Why testing yourself beats rereading, and five practical ways to do it for any subject.
Spaced repetition: how to remember more by studying less at once
Why spreading study over time beats cramming, and a simple schedule you can start today.
The Leitner system: flashcards in boxes, explained
How to set up Leitner boxes, a sample review schedule, and why spacing beats cramming.
How to make flashcards that actually work
One idea per card, questions not words, both directions, and a spaced review schedule.