Feynman technique explained
Gaps in understanding hide behind jargon. Explaining simply exposes them, and filling those gaps is where the learning happens.
You can do it on paper, out loud, or by asking an AI assistant to quiz you on your explanation.
Try it today
- Write the topic at the top of a page.
- Explain it in simple language, without jargon.
- Mark the parts you could not explain, study them, then simplify again.
Where it comes from
It is named after physicist Richard Feynman and based on how he learned, but he did not publish it as a method. The name and the step-by-step version came much later.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Feynman technique?
- The Feynman technique is a way to learn by explaining a topic in plain words, as if to a beginner, and going back to the source wherever your explanation breaks down.
- Where does the Feynman technique come from?
- It is named after physicist Richard Feynman and based on how he learned, but he did not publish it as a method. The name and the step-by-step version came much later.
- How do I start with the Feynman technique?
- Write the topic at the top of a page. Explain it in simple language, without jargon. Mark the parts you could not explain, study them, then simplify again.
- Which tools help with the Feynman technique?
- Tools in our directory that help include NotebookLM, ChatGPT, Claude, Anki. Each has its own page with pricing, pros and cons.