What is Anki and why is it so effective?

Anki is a free, open-source flashcard program that helps you study more effectively and remember information for the long term. The name comes from the Japanese word for "memorization," and the program is used by millions of students, language learners and professionals around the world to learn everything from medical terminology to programming concepts.

What sets Anki apart from traditional flashcards is its use of spaced repetition. This scientifically proven system shows you cards exactly when you are about to forget them. As a result, you learn more efficiently and remember information for months or years instead of days.

Downloading and installing Anki

Anki is available on every platform, but the pricing differs.

Desktop (free)

Go to apps.ankiweb.net and download the free desktop version for Windows, Mac or Linux. This is the full version with all features. Install the program the same way you would install any other software.

Android (free)

AnkiDroid is the official Android app and is completely free in the Google Play Store. It syncs perfectly with the desktop version.

iOS (paid)

AnkiMobile for iPhone and iPad costs about 30 euros. That may seem like a lot, but it is a one-time purchase and the revenue supports the development of the free ecosystem. Alternatively, you can use the web version at ankiweb.net for free in your browser.

Web (free)

AnkiWeb is the free web version where you can view and study your cards. It has fewer features than the desktop version but is handy on the go.

Setting up your first step-by-step plan

Let's set up your first Anki deck and start studying.

Step 1: Create an AnkiWeb account

Go to ankiweb.net and create a free account. This account syncs your cards across all your devices. Without an account, Anki only works locally.

Step 2: Open Anki and create a deck

Launch the desktop app and click "Create Deck" to make a new deck. Give it a descriptive name, for example "Spanish Vocabulary" or "Biology Exam."

Step 3: Add your first cards

Click "Add" to add cards. The basic flashcard has a front (the question) and a back (the answer). Fill in both and click "Add" to save the card. Repeat this for all your cards.

Step 4: Start studying

Click your deck and then "Study Now." You see the front of a card. Try to come up with the answer, then click to see the back. Rate yourself with "Again" (wrong), "Good" (correct) or "Easy."

Step 5: Sync

Click the sync button (two arrows in a circle) to sync your cards with AnkiWeb. Now you have them on all your devices.

Understanding spaced repetition

Understanding spaced repetition helps you use Anki more effectively.

The forgetting curve

The psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered that we forget information in a predictable pattern. Right after learning we remember everything, but we soon forget most of it. After one day, more than half is often gone.

Optimal review

Spaced repetition works by reviewing information just before you forget it. If you answer a card correctly, you won't see it again for a longer period. If you answer incorrectly, it comes back sooner. This maximizes learning with minimal effort.

Intervals in Anki

New cards start as "Learning" with short intervals (minutes to a day). Once you consistently answer them correctly, they become "Review" cards with longer intervals (days, weeks, months). The goal is to see cards as rarely as possible while still remembering them.

Making effective flashcards

The quality of your cards determines the quality of your learning. Here are principles for good cards.

One question, one answer

Each card should test exactly one thing. Instead of "Name all the planets," make separate cards: "Which planet is closest to the sun?" Small, atomic cards are more effective than complex ones.

Use active recall

Phrase cards as questions that force you to actively retrieve the answer. "What is the capital of the Netherlands?" is better than "Netherlands - Amsterdam," where you just read passively.

Add context

Give enough context to understand the question, but not so much that you give away the answer. For languages: add an example sentence next to the single word.

Use images and audio

Anki supports multimedia. An image on an anatomy card or audio on a language card strengthens learning considerably. You can drag files into the card field.

Avoid lists

Cards that require a list as the answer are problematic. You learn them in a fixed order and often can't reproduce the items individually. Break lists up into individual cards.

Using shared decks

You don't have to make every card yourself. The Anki community shares thousands of decks.

Finding decks

Go to ankiweb.net/shared/decks to browse shared decks. There are decks for languages, medical studies, law, programming, history and much more.

Importing decks

Download a deck (an .apkg file) and double-click it, or import it via File > Import in Anki. The deck appears in your list.

Quality varies

Shared decks vary enormously in quality. Read reviews, check the cards before you start studying seriously, and be prepared to delete or edit cards that don't work for you.

Personalizing

You can edit downloaded decks and adapt them to your needs. Add examples, delete irrelevant cards, or adjust the formatting.

Anki workflow for daily use

Consistency is essential for success with Anki. Here is an effective workflow.

Studying every day

Anki works best when you do your reviews every day. The cards the algorithm selects are exactly the cards you need to see now in order to remember them. Don't skip days.

Morning or evening

Pick a fixed time for your Anki session. Many people do it early in the morning or in the evening. Consistency turns it into a habit.

Adding new cards

Add new cards gradually alongside your reviews. Too many new cards at once leads to a review backlog. Start with 10 to 20 new cards per day and adjust to your capacity.

Avoiding a review backlog

When your reviews pile up, it becomes overwhelming. Better 15 minutes a day than 2 hours a week. If you fall behind, focus on reviews first before adding new cards.

Advanced Anki features

Beyond the basics, Anki has powerful advanced features.

Card types

Besides Basic (front and back) cards there are other types: Basic and Reversed (tests both directions), Cloze (fill in the blank), and more. Choose the type that fits what you are learning.

Tags

Tag your cards to organize them. You can then filter by tags to study specific topics.

Custom study

Custom Study lets you deviate from the normal algorithm. You can do more reviews, study specific tags, or repeat cards you recently got wrong.

Add-ons

Anki has an extensive ecosystem of add-ons that add features. From better statistics to image occlusion for medical students. Browse them via Tools > Add-ons.

Avoiding common mistakes

These pitfalls undermine your success with Anki.

Too many new cards

Starting enthusiastically with 100 new cards per day leads to an avalanche of reviews. Start modestly and build up.

Cards that are too long

Cards that contain a paragraph of text are hard to learn. Break them up into atomic units.

Passively clicking "Again"

If you click "Again" too often without really thinking, you won't learn effectively. Take the time to genuinely try to come up with the answer.

Studying inconsistently

Anki only works with daily consistency. Studying once a week disrupts the algorithm and drastically reduces its effectiveness.

Conclusion: make Anki a study habit

Anki is one of the most powerful tools for long-term learning available, and it is largely free. Whether you are learning a language, studying for exams, or want to keep your professional knowledge up to date, spaced repetition with Anki can transform your results. The program has a steep learning curve, but the investment pays off in more effective learning and better retention. Download Anki today, create your first deck, and discover the power of science-based studying. Your future self will thank you.

Frequently asked questions

Is Anki free to use?

The desktop version (Windows, Mac, Linux) and AnkiDroid (Android) are completely free. Only AnkiMobile for iOS costs about 30 euros. The web version, AnkiWeb, is free as well. The iOS fee supports the development of the entire ecosystem.

How long should I study with Anki every day?

That depends on how many cards you have and add. Most users spend 15 to 30 minutes a day on reviews. The most important thing is consistency: better 10 minutes a day than one hour a week. Start small and build up as needed.

What is spaced repetition and why does it work?

Spaced repetition is a learning method in which you review information at increasingly longer intervals, right before you forget it. It is based on Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve. With optimally timed reviews you learn more efficiently and remember information much longer than with traditional studying.

Can I use Anki to learn languages?

Absolutely, learning languages is one of the most popular uses of Anki. You can learn vocabulary, grammar rules and sentences. There are thousands of shared decks available for almost every language. Add audio for pronunciation and example sentences for context.

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