How well do you know your decades?
This free decade quiz puts your memory to the test. Pick an era from the 1920s to the present day and answer ten multiple-choice questions on the music, films, TV, inventions, fashion and big news stories of that time. At the end you'll see your score and the right answers, so you learn something even when you get one wrong.
It's a quick, fun way to fill ten minutes, settle an argument about who remembers the eighties best, or get the conversation going at a family gathering.
How to play the decade quiz
Choose a decade from the list. You'll get ten questions, one at a time, each with a few possible answers. Tap the one you think is right and you'll see straight away whether you got it. When you've answered all ten, you'll get a final score out of ten. Then try a different decade, or have another go to beat your score.
There's no time limit, so you can take your time and talk the answers through with whoever you're playing with. If you want something faster and more competitive, try our timed decade trivia game.
Great ways to use a decade quiz
Milestone birthdays: playing the quiz for the decade someone was born in, or the one they grew up in, is a lovely addition to a fortieth, fiftieth, sixtieth or seventieth birthday party.
Family get-togethers: let grandparents take on the grandchildren. The older generation usually win the early decades, and the younger ones get their own back on the recent ones.
Themed parties: if you're throwing a seventies disco or an eighties night, a quick quiz fits right in.
Care homes and community groups: quizzes about the past are a gentle way to spark memories and conversation.
Pub quiz practice: a few rounds here are good warm-up for your next quiz night.
Why nostalgia feels so good
Remembering the songs, shows and fashions of a decade you lived through tends to bring back the people and places that went with them. That's a big part of why decade quizzes are so popular at parties: every question becomes a story. Do you remember where you were when you first heard that song? Who had that toy?
For younger players, it's a fun way to learn what life was like before they were born, and to understand the things their parents and grandparents still talk about.
Make it a party game
Turning the decade quiz into a group game is easy. Split into teams, give each team a decade they think they know best, and play one round each. Keep a running total on paper and give a small prize to the winning team. To make it harder, ask the other teams to steal a point if the playing team gets it wrong.
You can also play every decade in order, from the 1920s to now, and see which era your family knows best. It's surprising how often the youngest players do well on the oldest decades, thanks to films and history lessons, and how often the grown-ups struggle with recent pop culture. Whatever the result, it's a good excuse for some friendly rivalry.
Frequently asked questions
Which decades are covered? Every decade from the 1920s to the present day.
Is it free? Yes, and there's nothing to sign up for.
Can I play it for a group? Yes. Put it on a big screen or read the questions out and let everyone shout their answers.
Want to make your own quiz? Our quiz round builder lets you pick rounds and print a ready-made quiz with answers.