✅ Free · 🔒 Private · 🚫 No sign-up
Study Studio: the complete guide
Cromagnon Study Studio is a free online flashcard maker and study app. Make flashcards by hand or turn your PDFs, Word files, PowerPoint slides, photos of notes and Anki or Quizlet sets into a deck in seconds. Then study with spaced repetition (the FSRS algorithm), eight study modes including an adaptive Learn mode, timed practice exams, a study planner that counts down to your exam day, and progress charts that show which cards you are about to forget.
It is a free alternative to Quizlet and Anki that works in your web browser on any phone, tablet or computer, and can be installed as an app that works offline. Everything is free: no account, no ads between cards, no paid plan, and every study mode unlocked. Your decks and progress are saved on your own device.
This guide explains every part of Study Studio, gives step-by-step tutorials for making and studying flashcards, lists the keyboard shortcuts, and answers common questions about spaced repetition and studying with flashcards.
- 100% free
- No account needed
- Spaced repetition (FSRS)
- 8 study modes
- Works offline
- Import Anki, Quizlet, PDF, Word
Features
Everything you can do in Study Studio
Make flashcards
Flashcard maker
Type a front and a back, add tags and a difficulty, and press Ctrl + Enter to add the next card fast.
Rich cards
Bold, italic, code, lists and math formulas on your cards, with keyboard shortcuts for each.
Pictures on cards
Add an image to either side, or paste one straight into the text. Great for diagrams, maps and anatomy.
Audio and read-aloud
Record your voice on a card, or let the browser read the card aloud in the deck's language. Ideal for language learning.
Fill-in-the-blank cards
Select words on the front and press Ctrl + K to turn them into a gap to fill (cloze deletion).
Reverse cards
Add a back-to-front card for every card in one click, so you learn both directions of a vocabulary list.
Stars, tags and duplicates
Star hard cards, filter by tag, duplicate and edit cards in the Cards view.
Import from anywhere
PDF to flashcards
Drop in lecture slides or a textbook chapter as a PDF and Study Studio pulls out terms, definitions and question-and-answer pairs.
Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Turn .docx notes, .pptx slides and spreadsheets into cards the same way.
Photos and scans (OCR)
Take a photo of handwritten or printed notes; the text is recognised in your browser and made into cards.
Anki decks (.apkg)
Import your existing Anki decks and keep studying them here.
Quizlet sets
Copy a Quizlet set's export text and paste it in to move the whole set across.
Paste text or CSV
Paste lines such as term - definition, or a CSV file, and get a deck instantly.
Better cards with AI (optional)
Use your own free AI key to write cleaner question-and-answer cards from the same text. You always review the cards before the deck is created.
Study modes
Flashcards with spaced repetition
Flip the card, then rate it Again, Hard, Good or Easy. The FSRS algorithm schedules each card just before you would forget it.
Learn (adaptive)
A guided mode that mixes question types and repeats what you get wrong until you know it.
Multiple choice
Pick the right answer from four options built from your own deck.
True / False
Fast yes-or-no rounds to check you can recognise the right answer.
Type the answer
Type what you remember. Spelling slips are shown, and hints reveal the answer letter by letter.
Fill in the blank
Fill the gaps you made with cloze cards, one or several per card.
Match game
Match terms to definitions against the clock.
Voice mode
Say the answer out loud and let the browser check it, hands-free.
Explain simply and Give an example
Prompts that make you explain an idea in your own words or give your own example, the best way to check real understanding.
Exams, planning and progress
Practice exams
A timed, auto-graded mock test built from a deck, with mixed question types, a score report and printable results.
Study planner
Set your exam date and get a daily study plan and a readiness forecast.
Retention target
Choose how sure you want to be of remembering each card (90% suits most people); reviews are spaced to match.
Forgetting-curve forecast
See which cards you are most likely to have forgotten by exam day, weakest first.
Progress and streaks
A study-activity calendar for the last 15 weeks, your streak, and your weakest cards per deck.
Pomodoro timer
A built-in focus timer with short and long breaks that keeps time even in a background tab.
Focus mode
Study full screen without distractions.
Share, sync and install
Share a deck by link or QR code
Anyone who opens the link gets their own copy of the deck; the cards travel inside the link itself.
Deck library
Browse decks shared by students around the world and copy any of them for free, no account needed.
Classes for teachers
Share decks with a class code and see how the class is getting on.
Backup and restore
Export every deck with progress, stars, images and notes as one file, and import it to restore.
Optional cloud sync
Sign in (free) to keep your decks in sync between your phone and computer.
Install as an app
Add Study Studio to your home screen or desktop; it opens straight into your decks and works offline.
Five eye-friendly themes
Light, dark and calmer reading themes for late-night revision.
Tutorials
Step-by-step how-to guides
How to make flashcards online for free
- Open Study Studio above and press New deck.
- Give the deck a name and choose the language of each side (used for read-aloud).
- Type the front and back of a card and press Ctrl + Enter to add it.
- Repeat for each card, then go to Study to start learning.
💡 Tip: Keep one fact per card. Short cards are easier to remember than long ones.
How to turn a PDF into flashcards
- Go to Import and drop your PDF (or a Word file, PowerPoint or photo of notes).
- Wait a moment while the text is read in your browser.
- Check the cards that were found, edit or remove any you don't want.
- Press Create deck and start studying.
💡 Tip: Notes written as definitions, such as "Photosynthesis is…", give the best cards. With your own AI key you can ask for better cards from the same text.
How to import Anki or Quizlet decks
- Anki: export your deck as an .apkg file and drop it on the Import page.
- Quizlet: open your set, choose Export, copy the text and paste it into Import.
- Check the preview and press Create deck.
How to study with spaced repetition
- Open a deck and choose Flashcards.
- Read the front, try to remember the answer, then press Space to flip.
- Rate yourself honestly: 1 Again, 2 Hard, 3 Good or 4 Easy.
- Come back each day. Study Studio shows only the cards that are due, so a few minutes a day is enough.
💡 Tip: Press Again whenever you got it wrong, even if it was close. Honest ratings make the schedule work.
How to make fill-in-the-blank (cloze) cards
- Write the full sentence on the front of a card.
- Select the word or words to hide and press Ctrl + K.
- Study the deck in Fill in the blank mode and type the missing words.
How to take a practice exam
- Open a deck and go to Exam.
- Choose the number of questions and the time limit.
- Answer the mixed questions before the timer ends.
- Read your score report, review the mistakes, and print the results if you like.
How to plan for an exam date
- Open the Planner and set your exam date.
- Pick a retention target (90% suits most people).
- Follow the daily plan; the readiness forecast shows how ready you will be on the day.
How to share a deck with friends or a class
- Open the deck's menu and choose Share.
- Copy the link or show the QR code. Anyone who opens it gets their own copy.
- Teachers can create a class, give students the class code, and follow their progress.
Work faster
Study Studio keyboard shortcuts
Shortcuts don't fire while you are typing in a text box, except Ctrl + S. On a Mac, use ⌘ instead of Ctrl.
Privacy
Private by design: your files stay on your device
Your decks, cards, pictures, recordings and study history are saved in your own browser on your own device. You don't need an account, and nothing is uploaded unless you choose to share a deck, publish it to the library, or sign in for cloud sync.
Files you import (PDFs, Word, PowerPoint, photos) are read and turned into cards inside your browser. They are never uploaded to Cromagnon.
Optional AI card writing sends only the text you choose, only to the AI provider whose key you added, and only when you press the button.
Comparison
Study Studio compared with typical online tools
| Cromagnon Study Studio | Typical flashcard apps | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ✅ Free, every mode unlocked | Free with limits; Learn, tests or offline often paid |
| Account | ✅ Not needed | Usually required |
| Ads | ✅ None | Common on free plans |
| Spaced repetition | ✅ FSRS, the modern algorithm | Varies; some have none |
| Import | ✅ PDF, Word, PowerPoint, photos, Anki, Quizlet, CSV | Usually text or their own format only |
| Practice exams and planner | ✅ Included | Often paid or missing |
| Where your cards live | ✅ On your device (cloud sync optional) | On their servers |
Made for everyone
Who uses Study Studio?
School students
Learn vocabulary, dates, formulas and definitions for tests, a few minutes a day.
University students
Turn lecture PDFs into decks and plan revision around exam dates.
Medical and nursing students
Huge decks with pictures, Anki import and spaced repetition for long-term memory.
Language learners
Two-language decks, read-aloud in the right accent, voice answers and reverse cards.
Teachers
Share decks with a class code and see how students are doing.
Exam and certificate takers
Practice exams with timers and readiness forecasts for the big day.
Troubleshooting
Common problems and how to fix them
My cards disappeared
Decks are saved in the browser you used. Check you are in the same browser and not in a private window. Use Backup to save a file, or sign in for cloud sync, so this can't happen.
The import found no cards
The text has no clear question-and-answer pairs. Paste more structured text such as "X is Y" lines, add cards by hand, or use your AI key for better cards.
Read-aloud uses the wrong accent
Set each side of the deck to the right language in the deck settings.
Too many cards are due
Lower the retention target a little in the Planner, or study a few minutes every day so reviews don't pile up.
Voice mode doesn't hear me
Allow microphone access for the site, and use a browser with speech recognition such as Chrome or Edge.
A shared link is too long for a QR code
Big decks don't fit in a QR code; send the link instead.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Study Studio really free?
Yes. Every feature and every study mode is free, with no account, no ads and no paid plan.
Do I need an account?
No. You can make and study decks without signing up. A free account is only needed if you want cloud sync between devices.
Is Study Studio a good Quizlet alternative?
Yes. It has flashcards, Learn, multiple choice, matching and tests like Quizlet, plus spaced repetition, practice exams and a planner, all free.
Can I import my Anki decks?
Yes. Drop an Anki .apkg file on the Import page and keep studying it here.
Can I import Quizlet sets?
Yes. Export the set from Quizlet as text, paste it into Import, and create the deck.
Can I make flashcards from a PDF?
Yes. Import a PDF, Word file, PowerPoint or photo of notes, and Study Studio turns the text into cards you can review before saving.
What is spaced repetition?
A way of studying where each card comes back just before you are likely to forget it. Easy cards come back rarely and hard cards often, so you remember more in less time.
What is FSRS?
FSRS (Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler) is a modern scheduling algorithm that predicts when you will forget each card. It usually needs fewer reviews than older algorithms for the same memory.
What do Again, Hard, Good and Easy mean?
Again means you forgot; the card comes back soon. Hard, Good and Easy mean you remembered with more or less effort, and push the next review further away.
How many cards should I study a day?
Start with 10 to 20 new cards a day and do all your due reviews. Studying a little every day works better than cramming.
Does Study Studio work offline?
Yes. Install it as an app from the badge at the top and it opens and works without an internet connection.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. It works in any modern browser on Android and iPhone, supports swiping cards, and can be added to your home screen.
Can I add pictures and audio to cards?
Yes. Add an image to either side, paste a picture, or record audio. Cards can also be read aloud in the deck's language.
Can I write math formulas on cards?
Yes. Use the math button or Ctrl + M in the card editor to add formulas.
How do I share a deck?
Open the deck, choose Share, and send the link or QR code. Each person who opens it gets their own copy.
Can teachers use Study Studio with a class?
Yes. A teacher can create a class, share decks with a class code, and see how the class is doing. Only the card text is shared; students' pictures, audio and progress stay with them.
Where are my flashcards saved?
In your browser on your own device. Use Backup to save a file, or sign in to sync, so you don't lose them if you clear your browser.
Can I take a practice test?
Yes. Exam mode makes a timed, auto-graded test from any deck with mixed question types and a score report.
What are the keyboard shortcuts?
Space flips a card, 1 to 4 rate it Again, Hard, Good or Easy, Enter checks or moves on, Tab gives a hint, S reads aloud, and Ctrl + Enter adds a card while editing.
Is my study data private?
Yes. Your decks and progress stay on your device unless you choose to share a deck or turn on cloud sync.
Ready to try Study Studio?
It's free, private and needs no sign-up.
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