How to Make Flashcards: What to Include for Studying & Memorization

PDF download Download Article
Create customized flashcards online or with notecards
PDF download Download Article

Want to make some killer flashcards? Flashcards are a great method to study and memorize information like the periodic table, the intricacies of the human anatomy, or vocabulary words. You can make flashcards for nearly any subject. Keep reading to learn how to make flash cards on paper or using an online flashcard maker like Quizlet. Plus, get science-backed advice for studying flashcards effectively.

How do you make flashcards?

Review your notes and textbook, highlighting the information you need to study. Put key terms or concepts on one side and definitions, details, or explanations on the other side to test yourself. Use index cards and a pencil or pen to make paper flashcards or use websites like Quizlet to make digital cards.

Section 1 of 5:

Making Paper Flashcards

PDF download Download Article
  1. Write it in large letters so it’s easy for you to read. Keep this side of the card as simple as possible. The point of flashcards is to train you to see a concept or term and then be able to recall pertinent information about it in an exam setting.
    • Make sure your writing is large, clear, and well-spaced. If your writing is small, you will not be able to read it easily. If it's crowded, you’ll have too much to take in at one time.
    • If your teacher has given you key questions to consider, write out the question on this side. The same applies if you have a vocabulary list or other study guide from which to draw.
    • Tip: If you’re making paper flashcards, you’ll need index cards, pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, or whatever writing implements you’d like to use.
  2. Distill the key information on this side of the flashcard: a single definition, an overview of a topic or event, or a simple explanation of a concept. [1] Don’t rewrite your teachers’s entire lecture on the history of the Supreme Court. For explanations, take the most important points your teacher emphasized and bullet-point them.
    • Write with pencil or light pen ink so the information doesn't bleed through on the other side of the card.
    • Draw diagrams if you need to. As long as it is essential information, a visual answer could be a helpful tool in the studying process.
    EXPERT TIP

    Tian Zhou

    Language Specialist
    Tian Zhou is a Language Specialist and the Founder of Sishu Mandarin, a Chinese Language School in the New York metropolitan area. Tian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) from Sun Yat-sen University and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from New York University. Tian also holds a certification in Foreign Language (&ESL) - Mandarin (7-12) from New York State and certifications in Test for English Majors and Putonghua Proficiency Test from The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. He is the host of MandarinPod, an advanced Chinese language learning podcast.
    Tian Zhou
    Language Specialist

    With foreign languages, focus on frequent words. You don’t have to memorize every single word you don’t know. Try to write down the words that appear most frequently [in reading and conversation], or the ones you think are most important and practical.

    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Make conceptual flashcards that synthesize information. One study found that students who made conceptual flashcards instead of memorization flashcards had better performance on a short-answer test if they were less able learners. [2] To make conceptual flashcards, compare and contrast two concepts or explain multiple steps in a process.
    • Don’t just write a definition—think about what it means in the context of all you’ve learned. For example, a recall flash card might ask you to remember the dates of WWII. A conceptual card would ask something like “What were the lasting impacts of WWII and why?”
    • By placing information in context and even generating connections between topics or concepts, you may learn better than if you only create detailed flashcards with just facts or definitions. You gain a deeper understanding of the material by thinking deeply about it.
    • Some topics, like vocabulary, may require detail flashcards. That’s okay! Just try to create conceptual flashcards when the material lends itself to a deeper understanding and not just memorization.
  4. 4
    Break up complex topics into multiple flashcards. Place the keyword on the first side with a qualifier in parentheses. For example, if you wanted to remember the causes of the French Revolution, but couldn’t condense it onto a single flashcard, make several cards: “French Revolution Origins (Political)”, “French Revolution Origins (Social)”, and “French Revolution Origins (Economic).”
    • Another way to break up complex topics is with color coding using highlighters or different colored ink. For example, if you’re studying for a French verb test, you might write the conjugated forms in a different color than the definition so they stand out.
  5. Sometimes, you might have a lot of information to put on a single flashcard. In this case, consider adopting a form of shorthand. In general, people use shorthand to highlight essential information and de-emphasize non-essential words. Turn “and” into “&” and “for example” into “e.g.”. Use acronyms for long terms on their second mention. [3]
    6. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

Making Flashcards on Quizlet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Register for a free account on Quizlet.com or log in using a social media account like Facebook. Then, click the blue "create" button on the top right menu bar.
    • Once you're logged in to Quizlet, you can create your own flashcards or search through flashcards other users have made to find a relevant set.
    • Quizlet isn’t the only option for making and studying digital flashcards. Other choices include Anki , Cram , and Flashcard Machine .
  2. This takes you to the page where you can enter all of the relevant information you'd like on your flash cards. Enter a title for the study set so you can keep track of flashcards for several classes. [4]
    • Quizlet also gives you the option to include a description in the title, so include as much information as you’d like to make it easier to find.
  3. Quizlet has a very intuitive interface, so it's easy to turn your notes into flash cards. On the left column, enter the key term, concept, or practice test question. Then, type the definition, explanation, or answer in the corresponding field in the right column. [5]
    • If you're creating flashcards for a foreign language class, Quizlet allows you to select from over a hundred different languages. You can add accents and non-Latin characters as needed.
    • If you'd like to adjust the font and color, include images, or add an audio feature, upgrade your account to Quizlet Plus for a monthly fee.
  4. If you've already got your relevant information in a spreadsheet, simply upload it to Quizlet to generate flashcards automatically. Click "Import from Word, Excel, Google Docs, etc." Copy the information. Then, paste the information into the import box. [6]
    • You have the option of separating terms and information using tabs or commas, which is useful if you’re not importing from a spreadsheet but from a document.
  5. Once you've entered all of your information, scroll down and select "create." A pop-up will appear and give you sharable links for your flashcard study set. If you close out this box, you'll see your flashcards are ready to study! [7]
    • Download the Quizlet app to your phone to make it easier to study on the go.
    6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

Making Printable Flash Cards on MS Word

PDF download Download Article
  1. No matter what version of Word you’re using, you’ll need to open the program first. Then, click on the “New” file button. This is found in the top bar. [8]
    • If you don’t have MS Word, use an alternative like Canva to create aesthetic, printable flashcards from a template.
  2. Type “flashcard” in the search bar and the template will appear. Typically, there are several different templates to choose from. Choose the one that is the most appealing to you, but keep in mind that your flashcards should be easy to read. [9]
    • If some sort of decoration or color makes them difficult for you to use, you’ll want to avoid that template.
  3. Each template will tell you where the key term, concept or question should go and where to put the definition, explanation, or answer. Follow the instructions carefully so it’s easy to print and cut your flashcards. [10]
  4. Flashcards won't help you much if they're stuck on your hard drive. Print them out on sturdy cardstock. Cut them apart and stack them so all the key terms are facing the same way in a deck.
    • To make studying more convenient, punch a hole through the upper-left corner of the deck. String the cards on a binder ring to keep them together. Now you can flip through them as needed without worrying about dropping them.
    5. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

Studying Flashcards Effectively

PDF download Download Article
  1. Think of making flash cards as part of the study process, not just a step that allows you to study. Pay close attention to the material while figuring out what’s important to study. Add your own insight when explaining complex concepts to ensure you’re understanding and not just memorizing.
  2. Don’t just make the flash cards and look them over right before a test. Study them frequently for 15 to 45 minutes a day in the weeks leading up to your exam. Research suggests that studying over multiple spaced-out sessions is more effective than cramming for promoting students’ long-term learning and memorization. [11]
    • Keep your flashcards at hand throughout the day and reference a couple during television commercials, when you’re sitting on the bus, or while waiting in line at the grocery store. Your goal is to know the entire stack quickly and easily.
  3. 3
    Sort flashcards you miss repeatedly. Some topics are harder to learn than others. As you go through the deck, find a way to mark cards you miss so you can study them again. For paper cards, put a sticker on them or dot the corner with a marker. For digital flashcards, see if the software lets you star missed terms or tracks them using your feedback. Keep going over the cards you miss until you get them right multiple times.
    • Make sure you’re actually challenging yourself to come up with the answer, and not just flipping over the flashcard and reading the information. Take time to think of it, and only flip the card over when you’re sure you don’t know the answer.
    • Numerous studies suggest testing yourself helps memory retention more than simply restudying material because you force yourself to retrieve information by self-testing. This is known as the testing effect. [12]
  4. Ask a peer, a friend, or a family member to help you study your flashcards. All they have to do is be able to read to you what you’ve written on the card. Have them show you the key-terms side of the card. Explain the material on the other side, making sure that you use key phrases. Let them reveal the answer once you’ve responded.
    • If you’re very new to the information, have your study helper show you the side of the flashcard with the information. Identify the keyword or key concept it relates to. When you’ve done this once or twice, switch to studying the other way. [13]
  5. One of the biggest mistakes students make is discarding their flashcards after a quiz or exam. Information compounds over the course of the semester and from one class to the next, so it’s important to study your flashcard sets cumulatively. This is especially important for subjects like a foreign language, math, or science, where vocabulary or concepts build on one another.
    • If you’re taking a course that has several parts, consider creating a much larger “bank” of flashcards to reference over multiple terms.
    • If you have younger siblings or friends who will be taking the same classes in the future, offer to share your flashcard sets with them. Keep in mind the curriculum may change, however.
    6. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions: Flash Cards

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    What’s the most effective way to make flashcards? The best way to make flashcards depends on your goals. If you want to review the information as you make the flashcards, it may be better to write them by hand than to copy and paste your notes into software. If you’re pressed for time, it may be more effective to make digital flashcards. Prioritize key information so you don’t make unnecessary flashcards or write too much information on them.
  2. 2
    Can ChatGPT make flashcards? Technically, ChatGPT can generate flashcards. However, ChatGPT and other generative AI software may make up false information. [14] Also, it’s unlikely that ChatGPT knows what information is important for your course or exam. If you want generated flashcards, try using software like Quizlet that you can import notes into to create flashcards automatically.
  3. 3
    Is it better to write flashcards by hand or online? Some studies have found that participants who wrote by hand on paper or using a stylus and device had better priming and memorization than those who typed on a keyboard. [15] However, other research found no difference in recall based on writing by hand or typing notes. [16] Do what works best for you.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I figure out which information is key to include? Can I use the internet to help?
    Community Answer
    You can use the internet, but to get the right information think about what questions might be asked on your tests or homework: dates, names, key terms, quotes, interesting facts, etc. Focus on the things you have trouble remembering.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 85
  • Question
    Is it necessary to make flash cards with different colors or can I use only white cards?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what's good for you. Different colors may help you remember the material better because colors could help you remember the information more easily, but if you are more comfortable with plain white cards, you do what's best for you!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 94
  • Question
    What size is a good size for flash cards?
    Community Answer
    Many people find 5" by 3" easiest to use, but it may vary by the amount of information you want to fit on each card. Generally, you should try to keep it short and simple, so smaller cards work just fine if you follow that principle.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 63
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Develop Good Study Habits for College
      How to
      Get Good Grades at University
      How to
      Be Successful in College
      Your Guide to Getting a 4.0: How to Improve Your GPA Fast
      How to
      Study For Exams
      How Can You Study for a Test in One Night? Best Cramming Strategies
      How to
      Study for an Exam in One Day: Expert Tips & Tricks
      How to
      Prepare for the Nursing School Entrance Exams
      How to
      Study for a Science Exam
      How to
      Prepare for an Exam
      How to
      Study All Night
      How to
      Create Good Study Habits for Exams
      How to
      Study a Week Before an Exam
      How to
      Create a Basic Study Guide
      Advertisement

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • Find a quiet place to make and study your flashcards. Go to a well-lit working area where you are away from distractions, advises test prep tutor Bryce Warwick, JD.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Have your textbook, notes, course readings, and other studying materials ready before you start making flashcards.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Develop a system of note-taking that makes flash cards easier to create. Highlight or underline key terms and concepts your teacher emphasizes as you take notes. Use asterisks, dashes, or other symbols to set off important text from the rest of your notes.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you don't have thick paper to use as flashcards, glue 2 or more pieces of thin paper (like copy paper) together.
      • Make flashcards on topics you find especially difficult and review them regularly to help you learn the concepts.
      • Make your flashcards at least 2 weeks before your test or exam so you have plenty of time to study.
      • Write information down in your own words to help you understand it better.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://chloeburroughs.com/flashcards/
      2. ↑ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-64362-011
      3. ↑ https://www.bcu.ac.uk/exams-and-revision/best-ways-to-revise/flashcards
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/evOZq5inCaQ?t=57
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/gKIl-o6b1C0?t=113
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/evOZq5inCaQ?t=80
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/evOZq5inCaQ?t=134
      8. ↑ http://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/32665
      9. ↑ http://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/32665
      1. ↑ http://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/32665
      2. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3399982/
      3. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35594432/
      4. ↑ http://www.universitysurvival.com/student-topics/making-flash-cards-2/
      5. ↑ https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-hallucination-chatbots-chatgpt-falsehoods-ac4672c5b06e6f91050aa46ee731bcf4
      6. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8222525/
      7. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9247713/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make flash cards, start by writing each key term or figure you're trying to memorize on its own index card or piece of paper. Then, on the other side, write the definition or other information that relates to the word on the opposite side. Make sure your writing is large and clear so it's easy to read while you're studying. Also, don't try to cram too much information on your flash cards. Instead, use bullet points and short notes to convey the information. To learn how to make flash cards on a computer, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 671,356 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Zoe Anthony

        Jun 20, 2021

        "I had an exam coming up and I didn't see tugs so I went on wikiHow found this and completed all of these steps ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement