Multiplication Tables Guide

Complete multiplication tables 1 to 12 with learning tips and tricks. Help children master times tables for the UK Multiplication Tables Check and beyond.

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Knowing multiplication tables by heart is a fundamental maths skill that underpins all higher mathematics. This comprehensive guide provides complete times tables charts, memory tricks, and strategies to help children (and adults!) master their times tables.

Complete Multiplication Grid (1-12)

This reference grid shows all multiplication facts from 1×1 to 12×12:

×123456789101112
1123456789101112
224681012141618202224
3369121518212427303336
44812162024283236404448
551015202530354045505560
661218243036424854606672
771421283542495663707784
881624324048566472808896
9918273645546372819099108
10102030405060708090100110120
11112233445566778899110121132
121224364860728496108120132144
Commutativity: Remember that multiplication works both ways: 7×8 = 8×7 = 56. This means you only need to learn 78 unique facts, not 144! Once you know 6×9=54, you automatically know 9×6=54.

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Times Tables Tricks and Patterns

9 Times Table - The Finger Trick

Hold up both hands with fingers spread. For 9×3, put down your 3rd finger. Count fingers before it (2) and after it (7). Answer: 27!

Works for 9×1 through 9×10. Also notice: digits always sum to 9 (e.g., 9×7=63, and 6+3=9).

Patterns by Table

TablePattern/TrickExample
1×Any number × 1 = itself1 × 7 = 7
2×Double the number2 × 8 = 8 + 8 = 16
3×Double + add once more3 × 7 = 14 + 7 = 21
4×Double, then double again4 × 6 = 12 → 24
5×Ends in 0 or 5, alternating5, 10, 15, 20, 25...
6×5× + the number6 × 7 = 35 + 7 = 42
7×No simple pattern - memorisePractice needed
8×Double three times8 × 7 = 7→14→28→56
9×10× minus the number9 × 7 = 70 - 7 = 63
10×Add a zero10 × 8 = 80
11×Repeat digit (1-9)11 × 4 = 44
12×10× + 2×12 × 7 = 70 + 14 = 84

Most Commonly Forgotten Facts

Research shows these multiplication facts are most often forgotten or answered incorrectly:

RankMultiplicationAnswerMemory Tip
17 × 856"5, 6, 7, 8" - 56 = 7 × 8
26 × 848"6 and 8 went on a date, they came back as 48"
38 × 864Chess board has 64 squares (8×8)
46 × 742The answer to life, the universe, and everything!
57 × 963Digits sum to 9 (6+3=9)
68 × 972Digits sum to 9 (7+2=9)
76 × 954Digits sum to 9 (5+4=9)
87 × 7497 dwarfs × 7 dwarfs = 49
912 × 78470 + 14 = 84 (use 10× + 2× trick)
1012 × 89680 + 16 = 96 (use 10× + 2× trick)
Practice Tip: Focus extra time on the 6, 7, 8, and 12 times tables. By the time children reach these, they already know many facts from earlier tables (e.g., they know 4×8 from the 4s, so they also know 8×4).

The UK Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)

The MTC is a statutory assessment for Year 4 pupils (ages 8-9) in England:

AspectDetail
Questions25 multiplication facts
Time per question6 seconds
Total test timeAbout 5 minutes
FormatOn-screen, type the answer
WhenJune, Year 4
Tables tested2× to 12× (not 1× or square numbers primarily)
EmphasisMore questions on 6×, 7×, 8×, 9×, 12×
MTC Focus Areas: The test emphasises harder facts. Approximately 6 questions will be from the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 times tables. Simpler facts (2×, 5×, 10×) appear less frequently. Prepare by focusing on the challenging tables.
  1. Start with: 1×, 2×, 10× (easiest patterns, build confidence)
  2. Then: 5×, 11× (clear alternating and repetition patterns)
  3. Next: 3×, 4× (building blocks for harder tables)
  4. Then: 9× (finger trick makes it manageable)
  5. Finally: 6×, 7×, 8×, 12× (hardest, need most practice)

Learning Strategies

For Visual Learners

For Auditory Learners

For Kinesthetic Learners

Practice Resources

ResourceTypeBest For
Times Tables Rock StarsApp/WebsiteGamified practice, school-linked
Hit the ButtonWebsiteSpeed practice, free
Multiplication.comWebsiteGames and worksheets
BBC BitesizeWebsiteExplanations and quizzes
Physical flash cardsCardsScreen-free practice
Times tables workbooksBooksWritten practice

Practice Multiplication Tables

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Times Tables in the UK National Curriculum

Multiplication tables hold a central place in the England national curriculum for mathematics. The Department for Education requires all children to know their times tables up to 12 x 12 by the end of Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). To assess this, the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) was introduced as a statutory requirement for all state-funded primary schools in England from the 2021/22 academic year. The MTC is an on-screen test consisting of 25 questions, with pupils given 6 seconds to answer each question. Results are reported to parents and used by schools to identify pupils who need additional support.

The emphasis on times tables fluency reflects research showing that automatic recall of multiplication facts is a strong predictor of success in later mathematics, including fractions, algebra, and problem-solving. The national curriculum sets out a progressive approach: Year 2 pupils (ages 6 to 7) should know the 2, 5, and 10 times tables; Year 3 pupils should add the 3, 4, and 8 times tables; and Year 4 pupils should master all tables up to 12 x 12. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own curricula with similar expectations, though the timing and assessment methods differ. Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence expects multiplication fluency by the end of the First Level (approximately ages 6 to 9).

UK primary schools use a variety of methods to teach times tables, including chanting, songs, interactive games, and online platforms such as Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS), which is used by over 90 percent of primary schools in England. The Ofsted framework for mathematics inspection specifically looks for evidence that pupils have developed fluent recall of number facts including times tables. Parents can support their children's learning at home by practising regularly in short bursts of 5 to 10 minutes daily, using real-life contexts such as calculating the cost of multiple items when shopping or sharing food equally among family members.

Practical Tips for Learning Times Tables

More Questions About Multiplication Tables

What is the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) in English schools?
The MTC is a statutory on-screen assessment taken by Year 4 pupils (ages 8 to 9) in all state-funded schools in England during a three-week window in June each year. It consists of 25 multiplication questions drawn from the tables 2 to 12. Pupils have 6 seconds per question, and the total test takes approximately 5 minutes. Results are reported to parents and shared with the school, but they do not appear on any public league tables. The purpose is to check whether pupils have achieved the expected fluency in multiplication facts by the end of Year 4.
Why does the UK curriculum teach up to 12 times tables instead of 10?
The UK tradition of teaching up to 12 times tables dates back to pre-decimal currency, when 12 pence made a shilling. Although the UK switched to decimal currency in 1971, the 12 times table remains in the curriculum because 12 is a highly useful number in everyday life. There are 12 months in a year, 12 inches in a foot (still used informally), items are often sold in dozens, and 12 has many factors (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12), making it valuable for division and fraction work. Many countries teach only up to 10 times tables, but the UK retains 11 and 12 for these practical reasons.
How can parents help children who struggle with times tables?
Start with the easiest tables (2s, 5s, 10s) to build confidence, then gradually introduce harder ones. Use free apps like Times Tables Rock Stars, which many UK schools already subscribe to and can provide home access. Create a visual wall chart showing all tables from 1 to 12 and let children colour in facts they have mastered. Relate tables to real life: if eggs come in boxes of 6, how many eggs in 7 boxes? If a school day has 6 lessons, how many lessons in a 5-day week? Keep sessions short, positive, and pressure-free.

Did You Know? Multiplication Tables in UK Education

Multiplication tables hold a particularly prominent place in the UK education system, with recent government initiatives placing renewed emphasis on times table fluency as a foundational mathematical skill for primary school children.

The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). Since June 2022, all Year 4 pupils (aged 8-9) in state-funded schools in England must take a statutory Multiplication Tables Check. The MTC tests times tables up to 12 x 12, with children given 6 seconds per question across 25 randomly generated questions. The test is administered online and results are reported to parents and the Department for Education. In the most recent results, the average score was 19.6 out of 25, with 27 percent of pupils achieving full marks. Understanding the MTC helps parents support their children's preparation and appreciate the importance placed on times table fluency in the current national curriculum.

National Curriculum expectations. The English national curriculum sets clear expectations for times table knowledge by year group. By the end of Year 2 (age 6-7), children should know the 2, 5, and 10 times tables. By the end of Year 3 (age 7-8), they should add the 3, 4, and 8 times tables. By the end of Year 4 (age 8-9), children are expected to have fluent recall of all multiplication facts up to 12 x 12. Scottish Curriculum for Excellence and the Welsh Curriculum for Wales have similar expectations, though without the formal statutory check used in England.

Free UK learning resources. Several high-quality, free resources are available for UK families supporting times table learning at home. Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS), developed by a UK maths teacher, is used by over 90 percent of primary schools in England and offers a home subscription. The BBC Bitesize website provides times table games, videos, and practice tests aligned to the UK national curriculum. The government-funded National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) also offers parent guidance on supporting multiplication learning at home.

Why does the UK teach times tables up to 12 rather than 10?
The UK tradition of teaching times tables up to 12 x 12 dates back to pre-decimal currency. Before decimalisation in 1971, the old British system used 12 pence to a shilling, making the 12 times table essential for everyday financial transactions. Although the practical reason disappeared with decimalisation, the tradition persisted, and the national curriculum retains 12 x 12 as the standard. Many other countries only teach up to 10 x 10, but UK educators argue that knowing the 11 and 12 times tables provides additional mathematical fluency and supports mental arithmetic with larger numbers.
How can I help my child prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check?
Start by identifying which times tables your child is confident with and which need more practice. Use short, daily practice sessions of 5 to 10 minutes rather than occasional long sessions. Apps like Times Tables Rock Stars and Hit the Button gamify practice and maintain motivation. Practice under timed conditions to build speed, as the MTC gives only 6 seconds per question. Focus extra attention on the harder tables, particularly 6, 7, 8, and 12, which are most commonly answered incorrectly. The DfE publishes sample MTC papers on gov.uk, which are useful for familiarising your child with the test format.
What if my child is struggling with times tables?
Many children find certain times tables challenging, and this is entirely normal. The 6, 7, 8, and 9 times tables are statistically the most difficult. If your child is struggling, speak to their class teacher who can identify specific gaps and provide targeted support. Some children benefit from visual approaches such as arrays and number grids, while others respond better to songs, patterns, or physical games. Dyscalculia, a specific learning difficulty with numbers, affects approximately 5 to 7 percent of the population and may require specialist support. Your school's SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) can arrange assessment if a learning difficulty is suspected.
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Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson

Senior Content Editor

Emma is a senior content editor with a background in financial journalism. She specialises in making UK regulations and calculator tools understandable for consumers, working closely with qualified professionals to ensure accuracy.

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Last updated: February 2026 | Aligned with UK National Curriculum