# Changing Anki Scheduling to Fixed Intervals instead of Multiplicative **URL:** \ **Category:** Scheduling\ **Created:** [May 18, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976 "2024-05-18T12:32:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rx4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Rx4](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Rx4)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/1 "2024-05-18T12:32:34Z")
Hey there everyone, Please excuse any poor English, I’m still learning! I’ve been using the regular Anki scheduling with minor tweaks for about 5 years now, and I’ve come to the conclusion it’s not how I learn. Cards show up far too infrequently for me to really concretize the information. Using default deck options / custom scheduling, is there a way to set Anki to use fixed intervals instead of multiplicative ones? For example, instead of seeing this when reviewing: * * * Default **1st review** Answer Good - _10 days_ **2nd review** (10 days have passed since 1st review) Answer Good - _25 days_ **3rd review** (25 days have passed since 2nd review) Answer Good - _2 months_ * * * I’d like it to add a set number of days to the interval, say +5 days each time I answer “Good”. * * * Fixed Interval **1st review** Answer Good - _10 days_ **2nd review** (10 days have passed since 1st review) Answer Good - _15 days_ **3rd review** (15 days have passed since 2nd review) Answer Good - _20 days_ * * * I essentially want “Easy” to add 15 days to the pre-existing interval, “Good” to add 5 days, and “Hard” to keep the same interval. Is this possible using default settings or the Custom Scheduling? Thanks everyone who takes the time to look at this and/or answer it! ---
**Author:** ![Expertium](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/expertium/32/24176_2.png) [@Expertium](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Expertium)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/2 "2024-05-18T12:49:16Z")
While there might be a way to achieve this using custom scheduling, I wouldn’t advise it. It’s not efficient. I would recommend you to take a look at [FSRS](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/open-spaced-repetition-fsrs4anki-wiki/44799), it allows you to adjust intervals based on desired retention aka how much you want to remember. You can set high desired retention to make all cards appear frequently. ---
**Author:** ![Rx4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Rx4](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Rx4)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/3 "2024-05-18T14:43:56Z")
Thanks for the fast response @Expertium, I appreciate it! I’m looking into now, but FSRS retention prediction also seems a bit overkill for my learning goals. Wouldn’t FSRS also attempt to modulate / grow those intervals? ---
**Author:** ![Expertium](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/expertium/32/24176_2.png) [@Expertium](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Expertium)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/4 "2024-05-18T14:57:02Z")
Yes, intervals will grow. ---
**Author:** ![Keks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/keks/32/20537_2.png) [@Keks](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Keks)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/5 "2024-05-18T15:43:55Z")
> [@Rx4](#): > > **1st review** > Answer Good - _10 days_ > > **2nd review** (10 days have passed since 1st review) > Answer Good - _15 days_ > > **3rd review** (15 days have passed since 2nd review) > Answer Good - _20 days_ Very similar to FSRS with the w9 twisted to the maximum ```auto 33333333333333333333333333333333 4.14 8.38 13.27 18.63 24.36 30.41 36.74 43.31 50.10 57.09 64.26 71.61 79.11 86.77 94.57 102.51 110.57 118.76 127.07 135.49 144.01 152.65 161.38 170.21 179.14 188.15 197.26 206.45 215.73 225.09 234.53 244.05 ``` [https://www.reddit.com/r/Anki/comments/18tnp22/a\_technical\_explanation\_of\_the\_fsrs\_algorithm/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Anki/comments/18tnp22/a_technical_explanation_of_the_fsrs_algorithm/) [https://open-spaced-repetition.github.io/anki\_fsrs\_visualizer/](https://open-spaced-repetition.github.io/anki_fsrs_visualizer/) > **[Fsrs4anki Previewer - a Hugging Face Space by open-spaced-repetition](https://huggingface.co/spaces/open-spaced-repetition/fsrs4anki_previewer)** > > Discover amazing ML apps made by the community I don’t think you should do that. ---
**Author:** ![Expertium](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/expertium/32/24176_2.png) [@Expertium](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Expertium)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/6 "2024-05-18T15:55:30Z")
If you set w8 to 0, w9 to 0.8, and w10 to 0.01, you can (almost) achieve fixed-interval scheduling. OP, in case you’re reading this, I don’t actually recommend it. I just think it’s interesting that theoretically, in some fringe case, FSRS _could_ give the user fixed interval lengths. ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 10:00pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/7 "2024-05-18T22:00:08Z")
> [@Rx4](#): > > I’ve come to the conclusion it’s not how I learn. Cards show up far too infrequently for me to really concretize the information. If you’re having trouble remembering cards, I would recommend doing more with them when you are seeing them. Are you using images, mnemonics, practice, etc. (ehhh – it’s hard to envision what might work for you without knowing what you’re studying)? With the default SM-2 algorithm, there are a LOT of things you can do to get more predictable scheduling – but I join others in wondering if that’s the best path for you. [The **only** reason I’m not recommending FSRS to you right off the bat is that it seems like you’re looking for predictability. While _ **FSRS is the superior algorithm** _ in pretty much every way, it’s not going to make things more predictable for you. But if you are willing to sacrifice predictability for something that will help you increase your retention and make studying easier – FSRS is your huckleberry.] Based on your example, you **do** want your intervals to grow – just not by 2.5x with each success. But adding 5d to a 10d interval is 1.5x – to a 15d interval is 1.33x – to a 20d interval is 1.25x – with that system, you’d be having your intervals grow less and less the _longer_ you successfully study the card. That seems backwards, doesn’t it? How about just adjusting your intervals to have slower growth? You seem pretty savvy about how the scheduler works – have you looked at the nuts and bolts of the SM-2 algorithm to see what adjustments might get you closer to what you want? [What spaced repetition algorithm does Anki use? - Frequently Asked Questions](https://faqs.ankiweb.net/what-spaced-repetition-algorithm.html) ---
**Author:** ![Rx4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Rx4](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Rx4)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/8 "2024-05-20T20:10:40Z")
Thank you all for your responses, and I very much appreciate the help to try and solve this! @Danika_Dakika and @Expertium I certainly understand what you all mean, but with my current card load and my dozen or so decks, I’ve noticed my learning process doesn’t co-align with the default multiplicative Anki system. I think very many beginner Anki-users get turned off by the sometimes absurd length between cards, and I think I unfortunately still align with that camp. I want my intervals to grow, but I want that growth to be **flat** , not exponential. I am using images and audio, and my retention is ok. I probably want this feature, because I use it more for learning new topics (languages) as opposed to creating a deck for strict review. I think a fairly large, non-vocal group of users, do not want to use Anki to maximally save time and efficiency, but just as a simple review/learning software that is decently customizable (if that makes sense). I definitely fall in with that camp, although I wish my brain worked like the hardcore users. ---
**Author:** ![Expertium](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/expertium/32/24176_2.png) [@Expertium](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Expertium)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/9 "2024-05-20T20:16:41Z")
I highly, and I mean _ **highly** _ doubt that fixed intervals are actually optimal for you. It’s not impossible, but extremely unlikely. I still advise you to give FSRS a try (see [this post of mine](https://www.reddit.com/r/Anki/comments/18jvyun/some_posts_and_articles_about_fsrs/), especially link 3 from that post) and choose a high value of desired retention. Also, out of curiosity, once you optimize parameters, please copy-paste them here so I can tell you what optimal interval growth looks like in your case. ---
**Author:** ![Keks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/keks/32/20537_2.png) [@Keks](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Keks)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/10 "2024-05-20T20:34:20Z")
Will there be an effect if set the weights beyond the limit indicated here? [https://open-spaced-repetition.github.io/anki\_fsrs\_visualizer/](https://open-spaced-repetition.github.io/anki_fsrs_visualizer/) ---
**Author:** ![Expertium](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/expertium/32/24176_2.png) [@Expertium](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Expertium)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/11 "2024-05-20T20:51:23Z")
You can, though I don’t advise it. @L.M.Sherlock maybe we should add another check to the field with parameters, and either automatically clamp the parameters, or give the user a warning about trying to set the parameters outside of their allowed ranges? Completely unrelated, but I’m kinda frustrated by the whole “weights” thing. It was fixed ages ago, yet people still call parameters “weights”. I was not expecting that this bad terminology will spread so quickly and stick so much. ---
**Author:** ![Keks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/keks/32/20537_2.png) [@Keks](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Keks)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/12 "2024-05-20T20:55:34Z")
> [@Expertium](#): > > and either automatically clamp the parameters I hope that doesn’t happen. A regular user will not change the settings manually. And those who do it either figure it out or go where they don’t need to, that’s their problem. ---
**Author:** ![Keks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/keks/32/20537_2.png) [@Keks](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Keks)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/13 "2024-05-20T20:58:26Z")
> [@Rx4](#): > > Default > > **1st review** > Answer Good - _10 days_ > > **2nd review** (10 days have passed since 1st review) > Answer Good - _25 days_ > > **3rd review** (25 days have passed since 2nd review) > Answer Good - _2 months_ If the weights can be changed without restrictions, then you can try: ```auto 0.5701, 1.4436, 10.0000, 10.9355, 5.1443, 1.2006, 0.8627, 0.0362, 2.0800, 1.0000, 1.0166, 2.1174, 0.0839, 0.3204, 1.4676, 0.2190, 2.8237 33333333333333333333 10.00 15.02 20.03 25.05 30.06 35.08 40.09 45.11 50.12 55.14 60.16 65.17 70.19 75.20 80.22 85.23 90.25 95.27 100.28 105.30 ``` But since you won’t always be able to view maps with “desired retention”=0.9, the intervals will still be slightly different. And also [https://docs.ankiweb.net/studying.html?highlight=fuz#fuzz-factor](https://docs.ankiweb.net/studying.html?highlight=fuz#fuzz-factor) ---
**Author:** ![Expertium](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/expertium/32/24176_2.png) [@Expertium](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Expertium)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/14 "2024-05-20T21:01:04Z")
Nah, let him try FSRS normally ---
**Author:** ![Keks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/keks/32/20537_2.png) [@Keks](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Keks)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/15 "2024-05-20T21:04:44Z")
> [@Expertium](#): > > Nah, let him try FSRS normally I agree with you. The person has not even tried it, but already writes that it does not suit him. Although I agree with him that many people use ANKI to periodically view the material. > [@Rx4](#): > > I’ve noticed my learning process doesn’t co-align with the default multiplicative Anki system. I think very many beginner Anki-users get turned off by the sometimes absurd length between cards, and I think I unfortunately still align with that camp. I want my intervals to grow, but I want that growth to be **flat** , not exponential. This is all about the default weights, but over time the optimizer will be able to select such intervals that will correspond to your memory. ---
**Author:** ![Rx4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Rx4](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Rx4)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/16 "2024-05-20T23:09:06Z")
Thank you @Keks and @Expertium, I’ll try out the FSRS and tinker with it… The learning curve is a bit steep for someone not experienced in this field, but I’ll get it! You are both probably right that whatever I am doing is sub-optimal. I don’t disagree. At this point, it’s likely more due to my note design and card load than anything related to the learning algorithm. But yes Keks, that is essentially what I use it for. Much more as an initial learning tool. FSRS seems like a great alternative according though to what many on the forums have said, so hopefully I find more luck with this. I’ll provide updates! ---
**Author:** ![Expertium](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/expertium/32/24176_2.png) [@Expertium](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Expertium)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/17 "2024-05-21T00:15:27Z")
> The learning curve is a bit steep for someone not experienced in this field, but I’ll get it! Read [the short version of the guide](https://github.com/open-spaced-repetition/fsrs4anki/blob/main/docs/tutorial.md#the-ultra-short-version). It’s really not that hard to set FSRS up. ---
**Author:** ![L.M.Sherlock](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/l.m.sherlock/32/16770_2.png) [@L.M.Sherlock](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/L.M.Sherlock)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/18 "2024-05-21T01:46:42Z")
I don’t want to make decisions here for users, because they modify the parameters manually. I guess it’s because the “parameters” has more characters than “weights” ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/changing-anki-scheduling-to-fixed-intervals-instead-of-multiplicative/44976/19 "2024-06-20T01:46:46Z")
This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.