N-Back Ladder: free n-back game for working memory

What is N-Back Ladder?

Squares light up one by one on a 3×3 board. Press Match when the square is where it was N steps back. Five blocks of about 45 seconds; a strong block climbs a rung, from 1-back up to 4-back, with letters added at the top rungs (dual mode).

N-Back Ladder is a free n-back game. Squares light up one after another on a 3×3 board, and you press Match when the square is in the same place as N steps back. At 1-back that's the square just before; at 3-back you hold three positions in mind and update them at every step.

The game runs five blocks of about 45 seconds. Catch most matches with few false alarms and you climb a rung: 1-back, 2-back, 3-back, then dual mode, where a letter appears in the square too and each channel has its own Match button. A weak block steps you down, so you always play near your edge.

At a glance

Category

IQMaxxing

Difficulty

Hard

Play time

3–5 min

Price

Free, in your browser, sign-up optional

How to play

Watch the board

A square lights up every 2.5 seconds (or 3.3 at relaxed pace).

Match N back

Press Position match (A or ←) when the square is in the same place as N steps back.

Dual mode

From rung 4 a letter shows too. Press Letter match (L or →) when the letter repeats N steps back.

Climb

Catch most matches with few false alarms to go up a rung; a weak block steps you down.

Scoring

Each block scores (matches caught − false alarms) × 10 × rung, never below zero. A run is 5 blocks.

A grade of 70% or more (caught minus false alarms, out of the matches) climbs a rung, below 30% drops one. Six rungs: 1-, 2-, 3-back, then 2-, 3-, 4-back dual.

What it trains

Working memory

Holding the last few positions in mind and updating them at every step.

Focus

Staying with a steady stream for 45 seconds at a time.

Dividing attention

Tracking position and letter at once in dual mode.

Strategy and tips

Say it in your head

Name each square ("top left, centre, centre") and keep a rolling list of the last N.

Don't mash

False alarms cost points and drag your grade down. Only press when you're fairly sure.

Drop the oldest

Each new step pushes the oldest item out of the list. Practise letting it go.

Split the work in dual mode

Track positions as a picture and letters as a sound in your head.

Try relaxed pace

The slower pace gives more time per step while you learn a new rung.

Why play N-Back Ladder?

Working memory is the mental scratchpad you use to follow a conversation, do sums in your head or keep a plan in mind. The n-back task gives it a steady, adjustable workout; the game shows your progress on the ladder, not a measure of intelligence.

Frequently asked questions