Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2025-How Many People are Visual Learners?

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Visual learning is a type of learning style in which students use images, graphics, colors and maps to communicate ideas and thoughts. Visual learners can prefer using visual stimulation because it helps them learn and memorize better.

But, is visual learning effective? What percentage of the population consider themselves visual learners? Is visual learning really better than other methods of absorbing information?

My updated visual learning statistics guide for 2025 has everything you need to know.

Use this jump link to quickly jump to the KEY STATS section.

Also, all the references and resources I used in crafting my guide are listed at the bottom of the page.

Let’s go!

Jump here: Key Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year| Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)

Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2024-How Many People are Visual Learners?

Table of Contents

Key Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year

Key Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2025

65% of the population globally are visual learners. (Sources)
More than 50% of human brain’s surface is used to process visuals. (Sources)
Humans can remember 65% of visual information after three days. In comparison, after three days, people retain only 10-20% of written or spoken information. (Sources)
It takes the brain 13 milliseconds to process an image. The brain can also see images that last for just 13 milliseconds. (Sources)
Adding color makes visuals 39% more memorable. (Sources)
Human eyes can register 36,000 visual messages per hour. (Sources)
Humans can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second. (Sources)
90% of all the information transmitted to the brain is visual. (Sources)
Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text. (Sources)
40% of nerve fibers are linked to the retina. (Sources)
Use of visuals have been found to improve learning by up to 400%. (Sources)
A recent survey showed that an illustrated text was 9% more effective than text alone when testing immediate comprehension. (Sources)
An illustrated text was 83% more effective when the comprehension test was delayed. (Sources)
40% of learners respond better to visual information than text alone. (Sources)
Color can make emails and other written materials 39% more memorable. (Sources)
Reading boring official documents like contracts or policies is 80% faster with color. (Sources)
An adult can maintain full focus for about a minute (67 seconds for older adults, 76 seconds for younger adults). (Sources)

Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)

What Percentage of People are Visual Learners?

65% of the people globally are visual learners. This statistic clearly underscores the importance of incorporating visual elements in both E-learning and traditional courses. It suggests that the majority of students (and really anyone who’s trying to learn anything) will benefit from plenty of graphical content in their learning materials. (Sources)

How Much of Human Brain’s Surface is Used to Process Visuals?

More than 50% of Human brain’s surface is used to process visuals. Humans can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second. (Sources)

Visual processing power of the human brain — Humans can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second. More than 50% of human’s brain’s surface is used to process visuals.

How Much Visual Information Can Humans Remember After Three Days?

Humans can remember 65% of visual information after three days. Compare that to written and spoken material where recall is far weaker. Namely, after three days most people can only remember 10-20% of what was spoken or written (so information they heard or read). (Sources)

Clearly, presenting information visually wins, but perhaps the best approach is to combine all three methods for the best results while also accommodating the preferred learning styles of 100% of people.

Visual information retention vs written/spoken information (graph)

How Long can an Adult Maintain Full Focus?

An adult can maintain full focus for about a minute (67 seconds for older adults, 76 seconds for younger adults).

This short attention span highlights the importance of breaking down information into digestible chunks. It also suggests the potential benefits of combining microlearning techniques with visual elements, as people remember visuals better (as you’ve seen from the previous stat above). (Sources)

Focus and image processing of human brain — An adult can maintain full focus for about a minute (67 seconds for older adults, 76 seconds for younger adults).

How Long Does it Take the Brain to Process an Image?

It takes the brain 13 milliseconds to process an image. The brain can also see images that last for just 13 milliseconds.

13 milliseconds is far too fast and imperceptible to the conscious human mind and eye, but the brain’s perception is much better and it subconsciously still notices. (Sources)

How Much More Memorable are Visuals When Color is Added?

Adding color makes visuals 39% more memorable. (Sources)

Color not only adds aesthetic appeal but also significantly enhances retention of the learning material. This statistic suggests that using color strategically in eLearning materials can boost their effectiveness, especially in the corporate setting where employee training materials are often bland and uninspiring.

How Many Visual Messages can our Eyes Register per Hour?

Human eyes can register 36,000 visual messages per hour. You’ll never be sending anyone 36 000 visual messages in a any given hour, but it’s worth knowing as this high capacity for visual input demonstrates the power of visual communication for teaching. (Sources)

What Percentage of Information Transmitted to the Brain is Visual?

90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. This is because more than 50% of our brain’s surface is used to process visuals, but also because eyes for us humans act as windows into the world. We humans are visual creatures through and through. (Sources)

For example, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text, and 40% of nerve fibers are linked to the retina. (Sources)

Visual information transmission to the brain — Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text and 40% of nerve fibers are linked to the retina.

By How Much can Visuals Improve Learning?

Visuals have been found to improve learning by up to 400%. This doesn’t mean that textbook for example should be mostly images. It instead means that images, graphics and infographics should complement and enhance the textual portion of the textbook. (Sources)

How Much More Effective is Illustrated Text for Immediate Comprehension?

In a recent study (I link to it in the footer of the page) illustrated text was found to be 9% more effective than text alone when testing immediate comprehension. The same study showed that an illustrated text was 83% more effective when the comprehension test was delayed. (Sources)

This suggest human brain needs some time to process the material it saw, including the visuals within the content. (Sources)

How Much More Memorable can Color Make Written Materials?

Color can make emails and other written materials 39% more memorable and infinitely more enjoyable.

For example, official company documents like long contracts and policies are know joy killers. Studies (which I link in the footer btw) have shown that reading official documents like contracts or policies can be 80% faster with color. (Sources)

And if it goes by faster that means it’s less painful:)

How to Study if You Are a Visual Learner

Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2025- FAQ

Visual learning statistics, facts and trends guide for 2025- FAQ

What is Visual Learning (Definition and Meaning)?

Definition: Visual learning is a learning style where people learn best when information is presented visually, such as through diagrams, charts, videos, or color-coded notes.

What are Some Examples of Visual Learning Style?

Visual learners tend to be be detail-oriented, organized, and have a preference for using symbols, colors and shapes to organize information.

Examples of learning methods that visual learners use are using graphic organizers such as flow charts, mind maps, diagrams, graphs, and sketch notes.

Another example is the usage of highlighters and notecards when studying information, especially dry information that makes you wanna take a nap.

Visual learners are also highly capable at recalling information through mental imagery. They’re able to vividly picture scenes or concepts in their mind to recall details.

How Does Visual Learning Compare to Auditory Learning?

Visual learning process and auditory learning method are not in competition. Each way of learning is effective when paired with a person who has a preference for it.

In other words, visual learners will do better learning visually than auditory. And the reverse is true as well. A typical auditory learner will thrive with auditory lessons and do worse with predominantly visual lessons.

How Does Visual Learning Compare to Kinesthetic Learning?

Visual and kinesthetic learning methods are not in competition. Each way of learning is effective when paired with a person who has a strong preference for it.

In other words, visual learners will do better learning visually than kinesthetically. And the reverse is true as well. Kinesthetic learner will thrive with kinesthetic, interactive lessons and actually doing what they’re supposed to learn. And they’ll do worse with predominantly visual lessons.

Read my kinesthetic learning statistics guide next.

What are the Benefits of Visual Learning?

The benefits of visual learning are:

Improved comprehension– Visual aids like diagrams, videos, pie charts and infographics can help learners understand complex concepts and processes.
Increased engagement– Visual learning is often more engaging than traditional classroom methods. And more engagement= increased focus and better memory (knowledge retention).
Promotes creativity– visual literacy practices help students develop their creativity and express their thoughts and opinions.
Stimulates emotions– Visuals and emotions are processed in the same part of the brain, so they work together to create strong memories which reduces learning loss with the passage of time.

How do Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learning Styles Differ?

Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic learning styles differ by the way of imparting knowledge to students, pupils, and anyone who’s learning anything.

Visual learners absorb information by sight. Auditory learners absorb information by sound. Kinesthetic learners absorb information by moving their bodies.

How Can Visual Aids Enhance Math Learning?

Visual cues do help with math learning.

Visual representations of mathematical concepts and relationships aid students to make sense of complex information and develop the analytical thinking skills.

Visuals help with learning math and solving math problems

In What Ways Can Pictures Support Visual Learning?

Pictures support visual learning by showing the information instead of telling it.

Is Visual Learning Considered a Scientifically Valid Concept, or is it Potentially a Myth?

Visual learning is a myth according to science. There is currently no scientific evidence that visual learning is better than auditory and kinesthetic learning methods.

That said, there’s something there because as much as 65% of the global population say they’re visual learners. The remaining 35% are auditory and kinesthetic learners which means they’re not visual learners. So by saying they’re not visual learners they’re confirming it’s existence.

Basically, science (especially learning psychology) and popular opinion are at total odds here.

How Does Visual Learning Help Students in Their Educational Journey?

Visual learning helps visual learners absorb material faster with better retention.

What are Some Practical Tips and Strategies for Improving Visual Learning Skills?

The number #1 practical tip for improving your visual learning skills is to not force it. If you’re a kinesthetic or auditory learner then you won’ be able to force yourself to learn visually.

That said, everyone can learn visually to a degree, so here’s what you should do to improve your visual learning skills.

Take notes– Writing things down and drawing illustrations helps you remember them better.
Use visual aids– Charts, diagrams, pictures, and videos can help introduce new material, reinforce concepts, and support struggling learners.
Use color– color code your notes and binders to help you identify items faster.
Flashcards– flashcards are great for memorizing terms and definitions. You can write new vocabulary words on colored index cards with short definitions on the back.
Draw concept maps– draw a shape around key terms and then draw lines to show how they relate to other words or concepts.
Watch videos– videos of live lectures can help you learn better and faster.

What are Some Jobs Good Good for Visual Learners?

Jobs good for visual learners often involve creating, interpreting, or working with visual information.

Here are some jobs that visual learners do best:

Graphic designer;
Architect;
Photographer;
Video editor;
Interior designer;
Fashion designer;
Web designer;
Data visualization specialist;
Cartographer;
Art director;
User interface (UI) designer;
Illustrator;
Cinematographer;
Animator;
Urban planner.

What are Some Characteristics of Visual Learners?

Visual learners often have the following characteristics:

Visual memory: they have a strong visual memory and think in pictures and are good at taking in a picture at once.
Creativity: visual learners tend to be creative and have vivid imagination.
Attention span: they have a good attention span and are observant.
Difficulty with auditory instruction: they may have trouble with instruction that is purely auditory.
Preference for visual aids: visual learners learn best from visual aids (flash cards, mind maps, charts, graphs, videos…)

Why is Visual Learning so Effective?

Visual learning is so effective because 65% of population consider themselves visual learners.

Also, human beings process visual information and emotions in the same part of the brain. Emotional response together with visual stimuli work together to generate memories. Visual metaphors and images, therefore, can create strong impressions in students and help them remember much better.