How to set up FSRS spaced repetition scheduling in Anki for revision

What you need

• A computer with Anki installed, and at least one deck of flashcards made from your notes.
• Access to the FSRS4Anki wiki page, which explains the scheduler in more detail.
• About 20 minutes to read the basics and change one setting.

This guide covers one part of the process: turning on FSRS, the scheduler that decides when you should see each card again. The source material used for this guide does not describe how to write flashcards from your notes, so that part is not covered here. Make your cards first, then follow the steps below.

Step by step

1. Open the deck you want to revise. Choose the deck that holds the cards you plan to study. FSRS settings are set per deck, so a deck is the place to start.
2. Open Deck Options. This is where Anki keeps the settings for the deck. Look for the option in the deck’s menu.
3. Find the scheduler setting and choose FSRS. FSRS stands for Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler. It is a custom scheduling option in Anki. Select it for the deck.
4. Read the “ABC of FSRS” overview on the wiki. The wiki gives a short introduction to how the scheduler works. Reading it first helps you understand what the new setting does.
5. Check the FAQ section. The wiki has a list of common questions about FSRS. Use it to answer doubts before you change anything else.
6. Read about the optimization process before using it. The wiki describes how FSRS can be optimized through a training process. Learn what that process does so you know its purpose before you use it.
7. Study a small set of cards for a few days. Example: Ayesha, a Class 10 student, makes 30 cards from her Chemistry notes and reviews them each day. She watches how often the cards come back and whether the timing feels right for her memory.

Tips and common mistakes

• Do not change many settings at once. If you change several options together, you will not know which change caused a difference in your reviews.
• Keep your cards short. One fact per card is easier to recall and to schedule than a whole page of notes.
• Do not skip the wiki. The wiki compares older scheduling methods, such as SM-2, with different versions of FSRS. This comparison helps you decide whether FSRS suits your study habits.
• Review every day, even briefly. Spaced repetition only works if you keep up with the cards the scheduler gives you.
• Do not confuse the scheduler with a teacher. FSRS only decides timing. It does not check whether your answers are correct. You still need to compare your answers with your textbook or class notes.

Use it responsibly

Always check the facts on your flashcards against your textbook, your teacher’s notes, or the official syllabus. Cards copied from a wrong source will be scheduled just as carefully as correct ones, so mistakes can stick in your memory.

Do not paste personal details, such as your full name, roll number, phone number, or school records, into any AI tool or online service you use alongside Anki. Keep your study material private unless your teacher has asked you to share it.

Finally, follow your school’s or university’s rules on the use of AI and study tools. If your teacher has set limits on tools for assignments or tests, keep your revision within those limits.