Online attention game

Odd one out: one of many isn’t like the others

Also known as: Odd One Out, find the different shape, odd one out shapes, which shape is different

The grid is full of identical shapes, and only one is different. Tap it. At first the difference jumps out, later the shape is turned by a notch or two, mirrored or slightly lighter than the rest. A round lasts a minute and a half.

Go to the game ↓
  • 1.5 minutesa 90-second round
  • 8 levelsfrom 3×3 to 7×7
  • No sign-up10 minutes a day
  • Progress30-day chart
What it trains

What finding the odd shape trains

The exercise teaches you to scan the grid quickly and notice a small difference among things that look the same. At the first levels your eye finds the odd shape on its own; later you have to compare one by one: rotation, mirror image, shade of color.

The difficulty adapts to you: two right answers in a row take you a level up, a mistake takes you one level back. Your results show how many shapes you found, how many mistakes you made and which level you reached.

  • You miss typos and small differencesYour eyes glide over similar things
  • You search a long time for something in plain sightIt gets lost among the familiar
  • You compare spreadsheets and documentsYou need to spot that one line
  • You want a 90-second warm-upThe rule is clear from the first try

Visual search

The grid grows from 9 to 49 shapes.

Attention to detail

The difference gets subtler: a 20-degree turn, a shade of color.

Spatial perception

You need to tell a rotated shape from a mirrored one.

Speed

The higher the level, the more points each find is worth.

Rules

How to play

  1. Start

    Press “Start”. Identical shapes fill the grid.

  2. Find the difference

    One shape isn’t the same: a different form, color, rotation, mirror image or shade.

  3. Tap it

    A right answer opens a new grid right away. Each find is worth as many points as your current level.

  4. The level changes

    Two right answers in a row take you a level up, a mistake takes you a level down. After a mistake the odd shape is highlighted.

  5. Results

    After 90 seconds we show your points, number of finds, mistakes and highest level.

Play online

Find the odd shape out online

Tap the shape that differs from the rest. Play 10 minutes a day without signing up.

Odd One Out

Among identical shapes, one differs in form, color, rotation or shade. Find it: the grid grows and the difference gets subtler.

Free play left today without signing up: 10 min

Method

What the exercise is based on

The exercise is built on a visual search task: among identical objects you look for the one that differs. Psychologists have long noticed that a striking difference, such as color, pops out at once, while a subtle one, such as a small rotation, has to be searched for by going through the shapes one by one.

That’s why the levels move from obvious differences to subtle ones. If you’d like to practice rotations on their own, try “Shape Rotation”.

90 sper round45 seconds in Mix
8levelsgrid from 3×3 to 7×7
1–8points per findmatching the level number
Who it’s for

Which ages

Adults

A 90-second warm-up for anyone who spends a lot of time checking, cross-checking and searching with their eyes.

Kids

Not part of the “Kids” collection. A kids profile has four levels: a grid up to 5×5, with differences in form, color, rotation and mirror image. Suitable from age 6.

60+

Not part of the “60+” collection. Worth a try: the first levels are easy, and a mistake takes you back a level.

Program finder

Get your program in a minute

Answer 4 questions and we’ll put together a daily program of 5 trainers. We’ll email you the full 2-week plan.

Question 1 of 4

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Questions

Frequently asked questions

How are points counted?

Each shape you find is worth as many points as your current level, from 1 to 8. Mistakes don’t cost points, but the level drops by one.

How is the odd shape different?

At the first levels in form or color, later in rotation, mirror image or a slightly different shade. On the last level the type of difference is random.

Why is the mirrored shape hard to find?

A mirror copy is made of the same parts as the original, so your eye takes it for one of the crowd. It helps to pick one corner of the shape and compare which way it points.

Do I need to sign up?

No, you can play 10 minutes a day right away. Free sign-up lets you keep playing, save your results, track your progress and unlock the daily workout.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes, the game runs in the browser on a phone, tablet or computer. There’s nothing to install.

Save your results and track your progress

Free sign-up: round history, a chart by skill and a daily workout of 5 exercises. No credit card needed.