How to Remember the Presidents in Order: Easy Mnemonics Guide
After decades of teaching history, I’ve seen many students try to recall all 46 U.S. presidents in sequence, only to get stuck somewhere after Lincoln. You’re not alone. Mastering this list for 2025 doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With a few powerful mnemonic techniques, the same methods memory champions use, you can lock these names into your long-term memory. I’ve seen these strategies help countless students ace their history exams and turn presidential recall from a frustrating exercise into an engaging mental workout.
How Mnemonics Boost Your Recall
Our brains remember vivid images, interesting stories, and meaningful patterns far better than dry lists or isolated facts. Mnemonics use this natural tendency by transforming abstract information into memorable mental pictures and narratives.
Step 1: Link Names in a Chain (Chain Method)
The chain method connects presidents through a vivid mental story:
- Convert each president’s last name into a concrete image (Washington = washing machine, Adams = atom)
- Create a memorable story linking these images in presidential order
- Make the connections vivid and exaggerated
Complete List of Concrete Images for All 46 Presidents:
Washington , Cherry tree (axe)
J. Adams , Quill pen
Jefferson , Declaration scroll
Madison , Tiny book
Monroe , Globe (Monroe Doctrine)
J.Q. Adams , Alligator (his White House pet)
Jackson , Hickory stick
Van Buren , Sideburns (muttonchops)
W.H. Harrison , Log cabin
Tyler , Tiled roof
Polk , Polka dot handkerchief
Taylor , Soldier’s sword
Fillmore , Mill filled with flour
Pierce , Pier (dock)
Buchanan , Book cannon
Lincoln , Stovepipe hat
A. Johnson , Tailor’s needle
Grant , Sack of money
Hayes , Haystack
Garfield , Cartoon cat
Arthur , Chester drawers
Cleveland , Cleaver
B. Harrison , Iceberg
Cleveland , Cleaver (repeat)
McKinley , Mountain
T. Roosevelt , Teddy bear
Taft , Bathtub
Wilson , Soccer ball
Harding , Poker cards
Coolidge , Ice cube
Hoover , Vacuum cleaner
F.D. Roosevelt , Wheelchair
Truman , Bomb
Eisenhower , General’s helmet
Kennedy , Rocket
L. Johnson , Giant pen
Nixon , Tape recorder
Ford , Car
Carter , Peanut
Reagan , Cowboy hat
G.H.W. Bush , Parachute
Clinton , Saxophone
G.W. Bush , Brush
Obama , Basketball
Trump , Red tie
Biden , Aviator sunglasses
Example Story Connecting All Presidents:
In a magical orchard, a cherry tree (Washington) grew tall, its roots tangled around a quill pen (Adams) scribbling out a Declaration scroll (Jefferson). Just beneath, a tiny book (Madison) balanced on a globe (Monroe). A pet alligator (J.Q. Adams) snapped at a hickory stick (Jackson), scaring off some bushy sideburns (Van Buren) hiding in a log cabin (Harrison).
On the cabin roof, a single gleaming tile (Tyler) shimmered next to a polka dot handkerchief (Polk) fluttering like a flag. A soldier’s sword (Taylor) guarded a mill filled with flour (Fillmore), perched at the end of a seaside pier (Pierce), where a mysterious book cannon (Buchanan) fired stories into the sky. A tall stovepipe hat (Lincoln) floated down, stitched together with a tailor’s needle (A. Johnson) and stuffed with stacks of money (Grant)…
Continue this vivid story through all presidents for maximum recall effectiveness.
Step 2: Chunk Presidents by Era
Breaking down 46 presidents into manageable groups makes the task less overwhelming. I often tell my students it’s like eating a meal one bite at a time.
Founding Fathers (1789-1825): Washington through J.Q. Adams
Antebellum/Civil War (1829-1877): Jackson through Grant
Gilded Age/Progressive Era (1877-1921): Hayes through Wilson
Interwar/WWII (1921-1953): Harding through Truman
Cold War Era (1953-1993): Eisenhower through Bush Sr.
Modern Era (1993-present): Clinton through Biden
Master one chunk completely before moving to the next. This approach reduces mental effort and builds confidence quickly.
Step 3: Visualize a Memory Palace
A memory palace uses your spatial memory to organize presidents in sequence:
- Choose a familiar location (your home, school, or commute route)
- Designate specific spots for each president in numerical order
- At each location, visualize the president doing something memorable
Adding Details to Your Memory Palace:
- Political Party: Place an elephant (Republican) or donkey (Democrat) interacting with the president
- Term Years: Visualize a clock or calendar showing the years
- Major Event: Add a symbolic object representing their key achievement
For example: At your front door, see Washington (cherry tree) with a donkey (Democratic-Republican), next to a clock showing 1789-1797, chopping down a British flag (Revolutionary War victory).
Step 4: Craft Simple Acronyms and Rhymes
Create acronyms or phrases where each letter or word represents a president:
First 8 presidents: WAJMMAJV = “Will A Jolly Man Make A Jovial Vision?”
(Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren)
Presidents 9-16: HTPTFBPL = “Happy Tigers Play Tag Freely Before Powerful Lions”
(Harrison, Tyler, Polk, Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln)
Simple rhymes also work well: “Washington, Adams, Jefferson too, Madison, Monroe, they’ll do”.
Step 5: Build a Whimsical Story
Transform presidents into memorable characters in an ongoing narrative:
Give each president a distinctive trait or action based on their name or history
Link each character to the next through absurd, vivid interactions
Use action verbs and surprising twists to make the story unforgettable
Example: “Andrew JOHNSON was sewing a GRANT application when HAYES suddenly appeared with GARFIELD the cat, who was chasing an ARTHUR-shaped mouse.”
Step 6: Learn with a Song or Chant
Music dramatically improves memory retention. Some of my students who struggle with lists find that a simple tune makes all the difference.
Popular YouTube options:
“The Presidents Song” by Kids Learning Tube
“U.S. Presidents Song” by Numberock
“U.S. Presidents | Rap Song” by Mr. Betts Class
“U.S. Presidents in Order Song” by Silly School Songs
Animaniacs’ “The Presidents Song”
For additional creative lesson plans, check out Four Fun Ways to Memorize the U.S. Presidents from AOP, great for classroom and self-study use.
The melody and rhythm provide additional memory cues, making recall significantly easier, especially for auditory learners.
Step 7: Apply the Peg System for Numbered Recall
The peg system helps you remember the names and their exact positions:
Learn the standard pegs for numbers 1-10: one=bun, two=shoe, three=tree, etc.
Associate each president with the corresponding peg
| Number | Peg | President |
| 1 | Bun | Washington eating a hamburger bun |
| 2 | Shoe | Adams wearing giant shoes |
| 3 | Tree | Jefferson climbing a tree |
This method is particularly helpful for recalling which number president someone was.
Step 8: Test Yourself with Flashcards and Apps
Reinforce your memory with digital tools:
| Feature | Anki | Quizlet |
| Interface | Complex, feature-rich | Simple, intuitive |
| Spaced Repetition | Advanced, customizable | Limited |
| Pre-made Decks | Many high-quality user-shared | Large library, easy to find |
| Game-like Modes | No | Yes, multiple study modes |
| Free Version | Complete (except iOS) | Basic features free |
Both apps offer excellent pre-made flashcard decks covering all 46 presidents with biographical details. Check out Anki Shared Decks for Presidents and search for U.S. Presidents decks on Quizlet.
Step 9: Comparing Memorization Techniques
Different techniques have various advantages depending on your learning style. There’s no single “best” way; the trick is finding what works for you.
| Technique | Time Investment | Long-term Recall | Best For | Main Weakness |
| Memory Palace | Medium–High | High | Complex, ordered info | Setup time |
| Chain Method | Low | Medium | Quick lists | Breaks if a “link” is forgotten |
| Acronyms | Very Low | Low–Medium | Short lists | Weak for large sets |
| Song/Rhyme | Medium | High (if catchy) | Moderate info sets | Hard for complex content |
Choose techniques based on your available time and how long you need to remember the information.
Step 10: Ready-Made Systems
Don’t want to create your own memory system? Use these pre-made options:
Nelson Dellis System: Memory champion Nelson Dellis provides a complete system with specific images for each president (Washington as washing machine, etc.) and position markers for every 5th president. Check out his system at the Nelson Dellis website, read more mnemonic tips on his blog, or watch his tutorials on his YouTube channel.
Memorize Academy: Offers video tutorials showing exact imagery and visual connections for all presidents. Their system requires no creativity, just follow along with their visual storylines. Visit the Memorize Academy website, or check out their Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Wrap-Up and Next Steps
These mnemonic techniques transform presidential memorization from a boring chore into an engaging mental exercise. Your brain is wired to respond to vivid imagery, patterns, and creative stories. Start by selecting one technique that seems fun and master the first five presidents today. Once that feels comfortable, expand to the next chunk. Before you know it, you’ll have the whole list down.
If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out this ThoughtCo guide on how to memorize the presidents for additional tips and variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take to memorize all the presidents?
With dedicated practice using these mnemonic techniques, most people can memorize all 46 presidents in order within 1-2 weeks. Spend 15-20 minutes daily, focus on one chunk at a time, and review regularly for best results.
2. What is the correct order of presidents?
The correct order begins with George Washington (1789-1797), John Adams (1797-1801), Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), and continues through Joe Biden (2021-present), our 46th president. The complete chronological list can be found on the White House website.
3. How to study all the presidents?
The most effective approach is to combine multiple techniques: chunk them by era, create visual associations or stories, use flashcards for testing, and maintain a regular review schedule. Adding context about major events during each presidency also helps create meaningful connections.
4. Who was the only president who never went to school?
Andrew Johnson, the 17th president, never attended formal school. He was self-taught with help from his wife, who taught him reading, writing, and arithmetic after they married. Despite his lack of formal education, he rose from a tailor’s apprentice to president.
