Learn World Capitals
Master the capital cities of the world with a fast, interactive quiz. Locate each country on the map, then name its capital to lock it into memory.
Whole World
Choose how you want to practice.
Game length
Difficulty
Best scores are tracked separately for each region, mode, and length.
Why this is a great way to learn capitals
- Active recallYou retrieve each capital from memory instead of just reading a list, which is proven to build stronger recall.
- Every regionFocus on Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas, or take on all the world's capitals at once.
- Spaced repetitionShort, repeatable rounds make it easy to practice a little every day until capitals stick.
- Sourced factsVerified 'Did you know?' facts add context that makes each capital more memorable.
How to learn world capitals
Pick a region such as Europe or Asia, then choose a mode that includes capitals. After you find the highlighted country on the map, the game asks for its capital city, so every round pairs a location with its capital.
Start with one continent at a time. Once you can name most of a region's capitals without hesitating, move on to the next region, and finish by testing yourself on the whole world.
Tips for memorizing capital cities
Group countries by region so nearby capitals reinforce each other. Pay extra attention to countries whose capital is not the largest or best-known city, such as Australia (Canberra), Turkey (Ankara), or Brazil (Brasília).
Play in short, frequent sessions rather than one long cram. Reviewing the same capitals across several days is far more effective for long-term memory.
Commonly missed world capitals
These countries trip people up because the capital is not the largest or most famous city. Learn these first for the biggest gain.
- AustraliaCanberra
- TurkeyAnkara
- BrazilBrasília
- CanadaOttawa
- New ZealandWellington
- United States of AmericaWashington, D.C.
- South AfricaPretoria
- IndiaNew Delhi
- SwitzerlandBern
- NetherlandsAmsterdam
- MoroccoRabat
- NigeriaAbuja
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to learn world capitals?
Practice active recall in small, frequent sessions. Instead of reading a list, quiz yourself so you retrieve each capital from memory, and group countries by region so nearby capitals reinforce each other.
How many capital cities are there in the world?
There are around 195 widely recognized sovereign states, each with a capital, though a few countries have more than one capital. MapDuel lets you practice them by region or all together.
Which capital cities are the hardest to remember?
Capitals that are not the country's largest city tend to be trickiest, for example Canberra (Australia), Ankara (Turkey), Brasília (Brazil), Ottawa (Canada), and Wellington (New Zealand).
Is the world capitals quiz free?
Yes. You can play the world capitals quiz for free in your browser with no download or sign-up.
More ways to learn geography
- Learn the 50 U.S. StatesPlace every state on the map, then name its capital and flag.
- Learn Flags of the WorldMatch national flags to their countries in quick bonus rounds.
- Learn the 7 ContinentsPlace all seven continents to build a mental map of the world.
- Learn the Countries of EuropeLocate every European country and learn its capital and flag.
Prefer to choose your own region and mode? Play all MapDuel geography games.