duolingo top subjects
Historically known purely as a language app, Duolingo has recently transitioned into a multi-subject learning platform by integrating Math, Music, and Chess directly into its core app.
As of mid-2026, the new non-language subjects have exploded in popularity, with Chess and Math now ranking among the platform's top 10 most popular courses globally.
Here is the breakdown of Duolingo's most popular subjects based on active learner enrollment:
The Top 10 Subjects Overall
When combining traditional languages with the newly introduced multi-subject courses, the platform's global ranking looks like this:
| Global Rank | Subject | Category | Active Learners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | Language | ~42.1 Million |
| 2 | English | Language | ~29.0 Million |
| 3 | French | Language | ~23.0 Million |
| 4 | Chess | Non-Language | ~21.2 Million |
| 5 | Japanese | Language | ~18.7 Million |
| 6 | German | Language | ~16.0 Million |
| 7 | Math | Non-Language | ~14.4 Million |
| 8 | Hindi | Language | ~14.3 Million |
| 9 | Korean | Language | ~12.9 Million |
| 10 | Italian | Language | ~10.7 Million |
(Note: Music is the third non-language subject currently available in the app. While it is rapidly growing alongside Math and Chess, its exact global learner count fluctuates as its rollout continues across different operating systems and regions.)
The "Beyond Language" Expansion
The rapid rise of the new subjects highlights a major shift in user behavior:
- Chess: Launched in mid-2025, Chess has quickly become a massive draw. With over 21 million learners, it has surpassed major, established languages like Japanese and German. It offers interactive online matches and step-by-step strategy lessons.
- Math: Designed to build real-world mental math skills—ranging from basic fractions and multiplication to pattern recognition and geometry—Math has successfully attracted over 14 million users looking for daily brain training.
- Cross-Pollination: Duolingo integrates all subjects into the same user interface and gamified system. Streaks and XP are universal. A user can complete a Spanish lesson on Monday, a Chess puzzle on Tuesday, and a Math problem on Wednesday without losing their streak, which drives heavy cross-enrollment between the different subjects.