Objective To compare learning-memory ability in C57BL/ 6J, BALB/ c, and ICR mice. Methods Adult male mice were divided into three groups with 10 C57BL/ 6J, BALB/ c, or ICR mice in each. The learning-memory ability of the three mice strains was evaluated via the open-field test, Barnes maze test, Y-maze test, and fear-conditioning test. Results In the open-field test, the total distance, largest distance, velocity, center distance / total distance, and the center time were significantly lower in the C57BL/ 6J group compared with the BALB/ c and ICR groups (P< 0. 01, P<0.05). The small distance in the C57BL/ 6J group was significantly greater than that in the BALB/ c and ICR groups (P< 0. 01, P< 0. 05). In the Barnes maze test, the latency to reach the entry zone was significantly lower in the C57BL/ 6J group compared with the BALB/ c and ICR groups in the learning stage on the second and fourth days ( P< 0. 05, P< 0. 05). In the test phase, the time spent in the entry zone in the C57BL/ 6J and ICR groups was significantly greater than that in the BALB/ c group (P< 0. 01, P< 0. 05). In the Y maze test, we found no significant differences in spontaneous alternations, time spent in each arm, and number of arm visits among the three groups. In the fear-conditioning test, the percentage of freezing time among the three groups was not significantly different. Conclusions In the open-field test, C57BL/ 6J mice exhibited the lowest spontaneous activity level and the highest anxiety level. In the maze test, spatial reference memory in C57BL/ 6J mice was superior to that of BALB/ c and ICR mice. There were no statistically significant differences in spatial working memory or spatial recognition memory among the 3 strains.