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How to learn times tables fast (without drilling all of them)
The fastest way to learn times tables is to stop practicing the facts your child already knows. Most children know far more facts than they think. The 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10 rows, plus the fact that 3 × 8 = 8 × 3, cover a large share of the table.
So start by finding out which facts are missing or slow. Then learn only those, with a strategy for each one, and practice them in short daily sessions.
A strategy for each hard fact
- Near a fact you know: 6 × 7 = 6 × 6 + 6 = 42.
- Doubling: 4 × 8 = 2 × 16 = 32.
- From ten: 9 × 6 = 60 − 6 = 54.
A short mixed practice set
- 6 × 8 = ?
- 7 × 4 = ?
- 8 × 3 = ?
- 9 × 7 = ?
- 6 × 6 = ?
- 4 × 9 = ?
- 7 × 8 = ?
- 3 × 7 = ?
Show answers
- 6 × 8 = 48
- 7 × 4 = 28
- 8 × 3 = 24
- 9 × 7 = 63
- 6 × 6 = 36
- 4 × 9 = 36
- 7 × 8 = 56
- 3 × 7 = 21
Tips for parents
- Step 1: find the missed and slow facts (our free check takes 3 minutes).
- Step 2: learn 3 or 4 new facts at a time, each with a strategy.
- Step 3: practice for about 5 minutes a day, mixing new facts with ones learned earlier.
- Step 4: check again after a couple of weeks.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to learn times tables?
It varies a lot from child to child. Focusing only on the missing facts and practicing a little each day is usually much quicker than repeating whole tables.