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What age should kids know their times tables?
In the US, the Common Core standards say that by the end of 3rd grade (usually age 8 or 9), students should know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers. That's every fact up to 9 × 9 = 81.
In England, the national curriculum expects children to know their tables up to 12 × 12 by the end of Year 4 (age 8 or 9), and there's a multiplication tables check that year.
These are goals, not deadlines. Lots of children in 4th and 5th grade still have a handful of slow facts, often in the 6, 7 and 8 rows. Those few facts make long multiplication, division and fractions harder, so they're worth fixing.
Why the facts matter later
- Simplifying 12/16 = 3/4 needs the fact 4 × 4 = 16.
- Long division like 56 ÷ 7 = 8 is a multiplication fact in reverse.
A quick 6-question check
- 3 × 7 = ?
- 4 × 8 = ?
- 6 × 6 = ?
- 7 × 8 = ?
- 9 × 4 = ?
- 8 × 6 = ?
Show answers
- 3 × 7 = 21
- 4 × 8 = 32
- 6 × 6 = 36
- 7 × 8 = 56
- 9 × 4 = 36
- 8 × 6 = 48
Tips for parents
- If your child is past 3rd grade and still slow, find the specific facts rather than starting over.
- A few minutes a day works better than long sessions.
- Ask your child's teacher what the class expects this year.
Questions parents ask
What age should a child know their times tables?
In the US, the goal is by the end of 3rd grade for facts up to 9 × 9. In England, the goal is up to 12 × 12 by the end of Year 4. Both are usually around age 8 or 9.
My 5th grader still doesn't know them. Is it too late?
No. Older children often only have a few missing facts. Finding those and practicing them briefly each day is usually enough.