The Magic of Chunking: A Simple Trick to Enhance Your Memory and Learning

Struggling to remember long numbers or complex ideas? You’re not alone - this is a common challenge. Our brains have a limited working memory capacity, meaning we can only hold not a relatively small amount of information at any one time. But there is a powerful strategy that we can use to maximise this - chunking.

Chunking is the process of breaking down large amounts of information into manageable chunks, making it easier for our brains to process and remember. By grouping related items together, we make them easier to process, store, and recall.

This technique will be familiar to you whether you know it or not as there are specific cases in everyday life where its use is common. For example, we often chunk language learning or number sequences to try and aid retention of that information. Despite it being familiar to most, few people have an understanding of why and how it works, but understanding how it works can significantly improve your ability to retain new information.

The Psychology of Chunking

Chunking was first introduced by cognitive psychologist George A. Miller in his 1956 paper 'The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two', where he proposed that the average person can hold seven (plus or minus two) pieces of information in their working memory at once. With this limitation of working memory applying to all types of information.

However, Miller identified that we have the ability to ‘cheat’ this limitation by grouping information into meaningful chunks, allowing us to hold slightly more information in the working memory that we would otherwise. Instead of seeing a random sequence of individual items, our brain recognises distinct patterns, allowing us to store and recall information more efficiently.

For example, consider how we format and display mobile phone numbers. A sequence of numbers such as 1032654879 is difficult for us to remember, but when it is written or said as 1032 654 879 it becomes a lot easier. This is because in the first sequence of numbers, our brain treats every single number as a separate piece of information whereas in the second set of numbers that are formatted, our brain treats that information as three distinct chunks of information rather than 10 separate digits.

How Chunking Enhances Memory

Chucking works because it works with the way our brain naturally processes information. Here is why it is so effective:

1. Reduces Cognitive Load 


Our working memory is limited, but chunking frees up mental space for other tasks. 


2. Creates Meaningful Associations


The brain is excellent at recognising patterns. By organising this information into meaningful clusters, we have made it easier for the brain to retrieve this information later. For example, when we learn languages, we tend to group words into meaningful clusters (e.g. food related words together, sport related words together). 


3. Links to Existing Knowledge


Information that is connected to something we already know is easier to remember. Chunking helps us to create these connections by grouping the new data into structures the brain is familiar with. This is why acronyms such as NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) or FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) are so memorable - they condense multiple words into a single easy to recall chunk. 


4. Encourages Pattern Recognition


Our brains naturally seek patterns. When we chunk information, we capitalise on this, making complex data easier to take in. This is why expert chess players have the ability to recall entire board positions at a glance. They aren’t necessarily seeing individual position of each piece on the board but instead are seeing meaningful patterns based on their experience.

How to Apply Chunking to Learning

If you want to improve your ability to retain new information, here are some practical ways to use chunking:

1. Break Information into Logical Groups


Break long lists into categories or related concepts to make them easier to memorise.

2. Use Acronyms and Mnemonics


Acronyms aid in condensing lists of information into a single memorable unit. Mnemonics like BEDMAS (Brackets, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) help students recall mathematical rules. In fact, BEDMAS is such a powerful and effective mnemonic that often adults who haven’t done any form of serious maths in years can recall it perfectly. 


3. Leverage Visual Chunking 


When presenting data, use bullet points, headings, and spacing to break up text. This principle applies in web design, where website’s structure content into sections to improve readability. 


4. Practice with Patterns 


When learning new skills, focus on pattern recognition. I.e. when learning a language, chuck sentences together that follow the same grammatical patterns and structures instead of just the words themselves. 


5. Rehearse and Review in Chunks 


Instead of trying to learn all information at once, review information in smaller segments over multiple sessions. This approach is known as spaced repetition and has been proven to significantly enhance your long-term retention.

The Takeaway

In an age where there is more information available than very before at your fingertips, chunking is more valuable than ever. Whether you are trying to remember complex data, improve your study techniques, or design user-friendly content, structuring content into chunks makes learning and recall significantly easier. 



By understanding the psychology of chunking and applying it methodically, you can significantly improve your memory, streamline your thinking, and make new information and ideas more manageable.

Next time you struggle to remember something long, don’t panic – break it into chunks and let your brain do the rest.