Handwriting vs. Typing: Which Helps You Remember More?

Short version: Typing is brilliant for speed. Handwriting is brilliant for understanding and remembering—especially the big ideas that matter.

What the science says (in plain English)

1) Typing gets more words; handwriting gets more meaning

When we type, we tend to copy more of what we hear verbatim. That feels productive, but it can lead to shallower processing and weaker performance on conceptual questions. Longhand nudges us to summarise and make sense of ideas as we go.

2) Your brain lights up differently when you write by hand

High‑density EEG work shows handwriting sparks broader, more connected brain activity than typing—patterns linked to learning and memory. The act of forming letters helps information stick.

3) Paper still has an edge

In lab comparisons, paper notebooks often produce stronger brain activity at recall than tablets or phones—likely thanks to tactile feel and the spatial “landmarks” of a page.

4) Prefer a tablet? Use a stylus

If you handwrite on a tablet with a digital pen, you can keep many of the learning benefits versus typing—especially once you’re used to it.

Reality check: under tightly controlled, low‑distraction conditions—and when people later review their notes—performance gaps can narrow. The best method depends on the task and how you study.

How to put this to work this week

• Go “pen‑first” for ideas and strategy. Use pen and paper (or stylus) for lectures, planning, client meetings, and creative work. Summarise, draw arrows, and box key terms—make the notes yours.
• Then digitise. Snap a photo or scan to your cloud. You get the memory benefits and searchable archives—best of both worlds.
• If you must type, type smarter. Paraphrase instead of transcribing, and do a same‑day review to lock it in.

Good tools make good habits easier

If you want a pen that makes you want to write:

• Explore our Irish‑made Fountain Pens and Rollerball Pens—hand‑turned from characterful Irish woods in Kells, Co. Meath.
• Pair your notes with a durable Leather Journal or choose a Gift Set for someone starting a new role or course.

(Yes, we’re biased. But also: the research is the research. 😉)

Sources

• Mueller & Oppenheimer (2014). Longhand note‑takers did better on conceptual questions than laptop users. Psychological Science.
• Morehead, Dunlosky & Rawson (2019). Typing = more words; longhand advantage varies by context and with review. Educational Psychology Review.
• Van der Weel & Van der Meer (2024). Handwriting → widespread brain connectivity vs. typing (EEG). Frontiers in Psychology.
• Umejima et al. (2021). Paper notebooks produced stronger brain activity at recall than mobile devices. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
• Ihara et al. (2021). Stylus handwriting can outperform typing for word learning once users are accustomed to it. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.