Online attention game

Which color has more dots: estimate at a glance in about a second

Also known as: which color is more, compare quantities, more blue or yellow dots, estimate quantity at a glance

Dots in two or three colors flash on the field for a second to a second and a half. There’s no time to count them, so estimate at a glance and pick the color there’s more of. With each level the numbers get closer and the flash gets shorter. A round lasts a minute and a half.

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1.5 minutesa 90-second round
About a secondto estimate
No sign-up10 minutes a day
Progress30-day chart

What it trains

What comparing dots trains

The exercise teaches you to take in the whole picture and decide without counting. There are too many dots to count one by one, so you rely on a quick estimate, and your attention has to cover the whole field at once.

At first one color has twice as many dots; later the gap shrinks to two or three dots out of thirty, and the flash to 0.8 seconds. After each answer the buttons show how many dots of each color there really were.

You pick a checkout line at the storeYou see at once where there are fewer people
You compare things by eyeNo time to count
You need to decide fastWithout overthinking
You want an easy warm-upOne button per answer

Estimating quantity

Deciding without counting one by one.

Divided attention

You need to take in the whole field at once.

Decision speed

The dots are visible for 1.6 down to 0.8 seconds.

Accuracy

The gap between colors keeps shrinking.

Rules

How to play

Start
Press “Start” and look at the cross in the center of the field.
Dots
Dots in two or three colors flash on the field and vanish after a second to a second and a half.
Answer
Tap the button of the color there was more of. You can answer while the dots are still visible. On a keyboard, use the 1–3 keys or the arrow keys.
Check
The buttons show how many dots of each color there were. Two right answers in a row take you a level up, a mistake takes you down.
Results
After 90 seconds we show your points, right answers, mistakes and highest level.

Play online

Which color has more dots? Play online

Look at the dots and pick the color there’s more of. Play 10 minutes a day without signing up.

More Dots

Dots of two or three colors flash on the screen. Pick the color there were more of. The difference keeps shrinking and the flashes get shorter.

Free play left today without signing up: 10 min

Method

What the exercise is based on

People can roughly compare quantities without counting: it’s easy to tell two piles of apples apart if one is clearly bigger. The closer the numbers, the harder it is to see the difference. In psychology, tasks like this are used to study number sense.

The exercise gradually brings the numbers closer and shortens the flash. Exact counting in a couple of seconds is trained by the neighboring game, “Count the Shapes”.

90 sper round45 seconds in Mix

2 or 3dot colorsthree colors from level 4

up to 36dots on the fieldgap from 2× down to 2–3 dots

Who it’s for

Which ages

Adults

An easy 90-second warm-up where you have to decide quickly and without counting.

Kids

Not part of the “Kids” collection. A kids profile has only two colors, fewer dots and a longer flash. Suitable from age 6.

60+

Not part of the “60+” collection. Worth a try: you can answer without rushing, since after the flash the field simply closes.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How are points counted?

A right answer is worth as many points as your current level, from 1 to 8. Mistakes don’t cost points, but the level drops by one.

Can I count the dots?

At the first levels there are only a few dots, and some people manage. Later the flash is too short and there are up to 36 dots, so it’s better to estimate.

What if I have trouble telling colors apart?

The colors are chosen for contrast (blue, yellow and red), and the buttons are labeled with their names. If red and yellow blend together, go by brightness: the yellow dots are lighter.

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.

All trainers

Which color has more dots: estimate at a glance in about a second