Hyperphantasia Test
Do your mental images feel exceptionally vivid – almost like real seeing? Find out in 5 minutes with the VST-16 test whether you have hyperphantasia.
What is hyperphantasia?
Hyperphantasia is the ability to form exceptionally vivid, detailed and almost photorealistic mental images. While most people picture things vaguely, hyperphantasics experience inner images with an intensity close to actual seeing.
About 3-6% of the population has hyperphantasia. It is the exact opposite of aphantasia and represents the upper extreme of the imagery spectrum. The term was coined alongside "aphantasia" by neurologist Adam Zeman.
There is no separate clinical hyperphantasia test instrument — hyperphantasia is assessed via the upper end of the VVIQ. That is exactly what this test does: It uses the VST-16 (methodology modeled on the VVIQ, Marks 1973; original items) and shows whether your score falls in the hyperphantasia range (score above 70 out of 80 points, convention per Wright et al. 2024).
Signs of hyperphantasia
Do many of these statements apply to you? Then you might have hyperphantasia:
- You can picture scenes, faces and places in vivid colors and detail.
- When reading, film-like images appear in your mind's eye.
- You have particularly vivid, intense dreams.
- Descriptions or memories trigger strong emotional and physical reactions.
- You can rotate, change and manipulate complex images in your head.
How do you test for hyperphantasia?
The VST-16 (Visual Spectrum Test) asks you to picture 16 scenarios and rate the vividness of your mental images on a scale from 1 to 5. The total score ranges from 16 to 80.
A score above 70 indicates hyperphantasia (convention per Wright et al. 2024) — meaning you experience nearly every scenario with maximum vividness. Scores around 52 are average; scores below 32 indicate aphantasia.
Take the test
Imagine each scenario and rate how vivid your mental image is.
Your data, your choice
Frequently asked questions about hyperphantasia
What is hyperphantasia?
Hyperphantasia is the ability to form exceptionally vivid, almost photorealistic mental images. It is the opposite of aphantasia and affects about 3-6% of people.
How can I test for hyperphantasia?
With the VST-16 test. It measures the vividness of your visual imagery across 16 scenarios (VVIQ methodology, Marks 1973). A total score above 70 out of 80 indicates hyperphantasia (Wright et al. 2024). The test is free, anonymous and takes about 5 minutes.
What score counts as hyperphantasic?
In the VST-16, a total score above 70 (out of a maximum 80) indicates hyperphantasia (convention per Wright et al. 2024). This corresponds to an average of nearly 5 — maximum vividness — for almost all scenarios.
What is the difference between hyperphantasia and aphantasia?
Hyperphantasia and aphantasia are the two extremes of the imagery spectrum. Hyperphantasics have extremely vivid mental images, while people with aphantasia cannot voluntarily create any mental images at all.
How common is hyperphantasia?
Estimates suggest about 3-6% of the population has hyperphantasia. The boundary to normal, vivid imagery is fluid.
Related tests & topics
Hyperphantasia in depth
All traits, pros and cons, and the imagery spectrum explained in detail.
Learn moreWhat is aphantasia?
The opposite of hyperphantasia – learn more about the absence of mental images.
Learn more