Stroop Test Online: Free Interactive Cognitive Flexibility Test

The Stroop effect is a psychological phenomenon characterized by a delay in reaction time when a person is asked to name the color of a word that spells out a different color name. Named after John Ridley Stroop, a renowned American psychologist who researched cognitive processes and interference, this effect demonstrates how conflicting information can disrupt our automatic processing. The delay—the time it takes to override the automatic tendency to read the word—varies from person to person and can be measured experimentally. The speed at which someone correctly names the ink color of mismatched words, compared to matched words, reveals their level of cognitive rigidity or flexibility. A test based on the Stroop effect helps assess how easily a person can shift their conceptual framework when new information is presented, which reflects the flexibility of cognitive control and the automation of verbal and sensory-perceptual functions.

The Stroop test

The classic Stroop test requires the participant to look at cards displaying color words printed in various ink colors. The goal is to name the ink color as quickly and accurately as possible, ignoring the written word. The test is divided into three stages:

• 1. Read the color names printed in black ink.
  2. Name the ink color of words printed in a color that conflicts with their meaning.
  3. Name the colors of simple squares (control task).

The classic Stroop test on this site is presented in two-stage versions. In the first version (combining stages 1 and 2), you must correctly pronounce the color name, ignoring the word. In the second version (combining stages 2 and 3), you must name the ink color of the displayed words. The average time taken to correctly name colors in each stage is calculated. The difference in time between the conflicting stage and the control stage—divided by the number of items—gives the average delay per word. This delay is used to assess your cognitive flexibility or rigidity.

Stroop Test Verbal Version

This version follows the classic format but instead of pressing buttons, you speak the color name into a microphone—just like in professional, lab-administered Stroop tests. For best results, use Google Chrome or Edge browser.

This test evaluates your ability to concentrate and suppress automatic responses. It consists of three stages:

Stroop Test - Not or Yes

This is an experimental online method for testing the Stroop effect. Your task is to quickly and accurately determine whether the color named by the control word matches the actual ink color of the test word. Respond "Yes" (right arrow →) if they match, or "No" (left arrow ←) if they do not.

The test consists of two parts: the first uses congruent stimuli (the ink color matches the word's meaning), while the second uses incongruent stimuli (they differ). Two difficulty levels are available: simple (control word in white) and advanced (control word in random colors).

Upon completion, you will receive detailed response statistics, the Stroop effect value (the difference in reaction time between phases), and an analysis of the most challenging tasks. Respond as quickly and honestly as possible—this ensures accurate results for assessing your cognitive flexibility.

Emotional Stroop Test

The Stroop test can do more than just measure how we name colors—it can also assess our emotional reactions to certain words. The emotional Stroop test reveals which words cause difficulty for participants when naming their color. This can be valuable in psychotherapy to identify emotional "trigger" words that momentarily distract a person from the task, causing a delay before they can name the color. Our website features an emotional Stroop test builder that allows you to customize the test by selecting words to uncover your own emotional responses or those of your patients. The test is completely anonymous; the list of words you use is stored only in your browser.

Examples of test forms based on the Stroop effect: