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Learn how to use Anki flashcards, step by step

Set up decks, rate each card honestly, and review a little every day. Turn your PDFs, slides, and notes into flashcards with spaced repetition.

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Using Anki flashcards well, step by step

Learning how to use Anki flashcards comes down to three habits: organizing cards into decks, rating each answer honestly, and reviewing a little every day. Anki handles the scheduling once those habits are in place.

Keep one idea per card so a single rating reflects a single recall.
Use the Space bar to reveal the answer during review, then press 1 to 4 to rate it.
Leave the default 20 new cards per day alone until your daily reviews feel manageable.
Suspend or delete cards that are wrong or outdated so they stop taking up review time.

Example Anki flashcards on how to use Anki

What do the four Anki answer buttons mean?Again, Hard, Good, and Easy. Again sends the card back to its learning steps, and Easy schedules it furthest out.

What is cloze deletion in Anki?A note format that hides part of a sentence, written as {{c1::text}}, so each hidden part becomes its own card.

How many new cards does Anki show per day by default?20 new cards per day, which you can change in the deck options.

Which key reveals the answer during an Anki review?The Space bar reveals the answer, and keys 1 to 4 rate the card once it is shown.

What is a deck in Anki?A named collection of cards studied together, often one per course, with its own daily limits and settings.

Generate the full set

Cards from your own material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes, or a photo of a page and get flashcards drawn from what you actually need to learn.

Spaced repetition built in

Cards return on a schedule tied to how well you recalled them, so you review what you are about to forget.

Export to Anki on Plus

Plus users can export their flashcards to Anki, so you can keep your existing decks and daily review routine.

How it works

Create a deck per course

Group cards by subject or class so each deck has its own daily new-card limit and review queue.

Review and rate each card

Reveal the answer, then rate it Again, Hard, Good, or Easy based on how easily you recalled it.

Study a little every day

Short daily sessions of 15 to 30 minutes beat long cramming sessions because the schedule depends on consistent reviews.

Most beginners struggle with the setup more than the studying. Start with one deck per course, keep each card front to a single question, and avoid copying whole paragraphs onto the back. Short, specific cards get reviewed faster and stick longer.

If your source material is a PDF, slide deck, or set of notes, writing every card by hand takes time. DeckOwl can generate flashcards from your own files with spaced repetition built in, and Plus users can export them to Anki when they want to study there.

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Frequently asked questions

How often should I review Anki flashcards?

Review every day, since Anki only shows cards that are due. Keep sessions short and consistent, usually 15 to 30 minutes, rather than cramming before a test.

How do I rate a card in Anki?

Rate by how easily you recalled the answer without looking, not by how familiar it felt. Choose Again if you missed it, Hard if you struggled, Good for correct recall, and Easy if it came instantly.

Can I export DeckOwl flashcards to Anki?

Yes, export to Anki is included on the Plus plan at $99.90/year or $9.99/month. The free plan lets you study in the browser, but exports are not included.

Is DeckOwl free to try?

Yes, the free plan includes 3 generations per month and no credit card is needed to start. Students get 40% off with a school email.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.