How to Use the Number Shape System

The number shape system is a memory technique that can be used to memorize short numbers or as a peg list. It works by associating the shapes of numbers to pictures.

For example, if you want to remember the number 2, you could picture a swan, because 2 looks like a swan.

To build a number shape system, you create one mnemonic images for each digit from 0 to 9.

Here are some examples of number shape images that you could use:

• 0 = ball, egg, doughnut, or ring
• 1 = candle, stick, spear, pole, pillar, or wire
• 2 = swan, cobra, clothes hangar, or whale
• 3 = butterfly, handcuffs, heart, trident, fish tail, bag, or rabbit
• 4 = flag, sailboat, chair, or satellite dish
• 5 = hook, snake, Superman, seahorse, a wave, or water
• 6 = elephant’s trunk, golf club, cherry, combination lock, curled snake, or spoon
• 7 = boomerang, axe, scythe, diving board, or ship’s prow
• 8 = snowman, hourglass, or figure 8
• 9 = balloon on a string, or net

Here’s a video example of how to create a number shape system:

How to Use the Number Shape System to Memorize Numbers

The number shape system is best used with short numbers. For example, if someone gives you an address like “639 Pine Street”, you could make an image for each digit like this:

• 6 - a cherry
• 3 - a butterfly
• 9 - a ballon on a string

The combine them into a story: you throw a cherry at a butterfly, who catches it and then lands on a balloon. That story is easier to remember than the number 639.

After you have a visual story for the numbers, combine it with an image for the name of the street. For example, imagine your destination with a giant pine tree in front of it. Link the number shape story to the pine tree: the balloon floats up into the pine needles and pops.

Review the story a few times to make sure that you can remember it.

When you think of your destination, you should be able to see your mnemonic image of the pine tree. Ask yourself “what was happening at the pine tree?” You should be able to recall that you threw a cherry at a butterfly, the butterfly landed on a balloon, and then the balloon popped on the pine needles.

Everyone’s mind makes different kinds of associations, so be creative and experiment until you find images and stories that are memorable to you! If you have trouble with the technique you can ask questions in our free discussion forum.

How to Memorize Longer Numbers

If you want to memorize long numbers in chunks of two or three at a time, you’ll probably need a more sophisticated technique.

One option is to expand the number shape system using the full Shaper System.

Our number memorization page has a general introduction to several other techniques, including the Major System, Dominic System, Ben System, and CV System.

There are also special techniques for memorizing binary numbers.

How to Use Number Shapes as Peg Lists

A peg list is a way to memorize lists of facts in order. We have a guide on using the alphabet as a peg list that you can use to learn about peg lists.

After you know how a peg list works, you can use your number shape system as a peg list. You could even make multiple peg lists that use different images in each list.

For example, your first number shape peg list could be something like this:

• 0 — ball
• 1 — candle
• 2 — swan
• 3 — butterfly
• 4 — sailboat
• 5 — hook
• 6 — cherry
• 7 — boomerang
• 8 — hourglass
• 9 — balloon

and the second one could be something like this:

• 0 — egg
• 1 — spear
• 2 — cobra
• 3 — handcuffs
• 4 — flag
• 5 — Superman (because of the S on his costume)
• 6 — elephant’s trunk
• 7 — axe
• 8 — snowman
• 9 — net

Learn More

To learn more about memory techniques, check out these articles:

• The Shaper System — this expands the basic number shape system to 100 images.
• Number Rhyme System — similar to the number shape system but it uses rhymes.
• Major System — a powerful technique for memorizing very long numbers.
• List of Memory Techniques — get a quick overview of the main memory techniques.
• Does Photographic Memory Exist? — find out if it’s possible to get photographic memory.