What Is the Most Common Learning Style for Adults?

When adults return to learning-whether it’s going back to school, picking up a new skill, or training for a job change-they don’t all learn the same way. Some need to see it. Others need to hear it. And some? They need to do it. But if you had to pick the most common learning style among adults, the data points clearly to one: visual learning.

Why Visual Learning Dominates

Studies from the University of Minnesota and the National Adult Literacy Survey show that over 65% of adults process information best through visual means. That means charts, diagrams, videos, infographics, and even written notes stick better than long lectures or hands-on demos alone. This isn’t just a preference-it’s a pattern tied to how adult brains adapt after years of processing complex information.

Think about it. When you’re learning how to use a new app, do you read the manual? Watch a YouTube tutorial? Or try clicking around until it works? Most adults go for the tutorial. Why? Because seeing the steps laid out visually reduces cognitive load. Your brain doesn’t have to reconstruct the process from scratch-it just follows the path shown to you.

Adults also rely on visual learning because they’re often juggling multiple responsibilities. Time is tight. Attention spans are shorter. A 10-minute video with labeled diagrams gives more usable information than a 45-minute lecture. That’s why platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Khan Academy dominate adult education-they’re built around visual content.

What About Auditory and Kinesthetic Styles?

It’s easy to assume that since adults are more experienced, they must learn better by doing. But the data doesn’t support that. Kinesthetic learning-learning by doing-is powerful, but it’s not the most common. It’s the most effective for certain skills: wiring a plug, changing a tire, or practicing CPR. But for abstract concepts like budgeting, understanding tax law, or learning a new software tool? Visuals win every time.

Auditory learning-learning by listening-is strong too. Podcasts and audiobooks are popular among adults, especially during commutes. But studies show that people who only listen retain about 20% of the information after 24 hours. Add a visual aid-like a slide deck or a transcript-and retention jumps to 70%. That’s why the most successful adult education programs combine audio with visuals: a podcast episode paired with downloadable summaries.

How Visual Learning Works for Adults

Adults don’t learn like kids. They don’t need colorful flashcards or songs. They need clarity, context, and connection. Visual learning for adults works best when it’s:

• Relevant-charts that show real-life outcomes, like how a 401(k) grows over time
• Structured-flowcharts that break down complex processes, like applying for a visa
• Interactive-drag-and-drop diagrams that let learners rearrange steps themselves
• Reusable-PDFs or infographics they can save and refer back to later

For example, a 52-year-old taking a cybersecurity course doesn’t need to memorize every firewall rule. But if they see a diagram showing how data flows through a network, with red flags on vulnerable points? They remember it. And they can use it when their boss asks, "Is our system secure?"

Why Other Styles Fall Short

Many adult education programs still rely on traditional methods: long lectures, printed handouts with dense text, or group discussions. These aren’t wrong-they’re just inefficient. A 2023 meta-analysis of 127 adult learning studies found that programs using mostly auditory or text-based materials had a 34% higher dropout rate than those using visual tools.

Why? Because adults are time-pressed and self-directed. If they don’t see progress fast, they quit. Visuals give immediate feedback. A progress bar. A before-and-after comparison. A checklist they can tick off. These aren’t just nice-to-haves-they’re retention engines.

Real-World Examples

Take the case of Maria, 48, who went back to school to become a medical coder. She’d struggled in college before because she couldn’t keep up with lectures. Her new program used color-coded ICD-10 code charts, video walkthroughs of real patient records, and interactive decision trees. Within six weeks, she was scoring 92% on practice exams. She didn’t memorize rules-she saw how they connected.

Or consider James, 61, learning to use Zoom for his small business. He tried reading the manual. He listened to a webinar. Neither stuck. Then he watched a 7-minute video that showed his exact screen layout, with arrows pointing to where he needed to click. He got it on the first try.

What This Means for Adult Educators

If you’re designing a course, training, or workshop for adults, stop assuming they learn like students. Don’t lead with text. Don’t start with a lecture. Start with a visual.

Here’s what works:

1. Use diagrams before explanations
2. Turn every key concept into a visual-mind maps, flowcharts, timelines
3. Embed short videos (under 5 minutes) in every module
4. Give learners downloadable infographics they can print or save
5. Use color and spacing to guide attention, not decoration

Tools like Canva, Lucidchart, and Miro make this easy. Even PowerPoint, if used well, can be a visual powerhouse.

The Myth of "Learning Styles"

Some experts argue that the idea of learning styles-visual, auditory, kinesthetic-is outdated. They say people don’t have fixed styles, and teaching to a single style doesn’t improve outcomes.

That’s partly true. People don’t learn in only one way. But that doesn’t mean visuals don’t dominate. Even if adults use multiple methods, the most effective, most widely adopted, and most retained method across all age groups and subjects? Still visual.

It’s not about pigeonholing learners. It’s about recognizing that when you give adults a choice, they almost always choose to see it first.

Final Takeaway

The most common learning style for adults isn’t about preference-it’s about efficiency. Adults don’t learn visually because they’re lazy. They learn visually because it’s the fastest, clearest, and most reliable way to turn information into action. Whether you’re teaching someone to code, balance a checkbook, or understand their health insurance, start with a picture. Then add words. Not the other way around.