Multiplication Calculator

Q: How do I multiply two numbers quickly?

Memorise your times tables up to 12×12. For larger numbers, break them apart: 14×7 = (10×7) + (4×7) = 70 + 28 = 98.

Q: What is the 9 times table trick?

Hold up 10 fingers. Fold down the finger representing the number you multiply by 9. Fingers to the left = tens digit, fingers to the right = units digit.

Q: What year do UK children learn their times tables?

UK children learn times tables progressively from Year 1 through Year 4. By the end of Year 4 (age 8-9), they must know all tables up to 12×12 for the Multiplication Tables Check.

Q: What is the difference between multiples and factors?

Multiples are the results of multiplying a number by integers (e.g. multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12...). Factors are numbers that divide exactly into another number (e.g. factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12).

Q: How are times tables used in real life?

Times tables are used constantly: calculating shopping totals, splitting bills, cooking (scaling recipes), tiling floors, understanding percentages, and working out distances and speeds.

Q: Do you need to know times tables for GCSE maths?

Yes. GCSE non-calculator papers require quick mental multiplication. Students need confident recall of tables up to 12×12 and the ability to extend this to larger numbers using written methods.

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Multiplication Grid 1–12

The complete 12×12 multiplication table — the foundation of UK primary school maths.

Tip: Use your browser's Print function (Ctrl+P) to print this grid for revision.

Times Tables Quiz

Test your knowledge! Answer the multiplication, then press Enter or click Check.

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Complete Times Tables 1–12

Every times table written out in full — ideal for printing and classroom use.

How the UK Curriculum Teaches Times Tables

The National Curriculum sets out a clear year-by-year progression for multiplication:

Year 1 (Age 5–6): Introduction to counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s — the foundations of multiplication as repeated addition.
Year 2 (Age 6–7): Formal learning of the 2, 5, and 10 times tables. Children begin to understand multiplication as an operation.
Year 3 (Age 7–8): The 3, 4, and 8 times tables are added. Children also learn division facts linked to each table.
Year 4 (Age 8–9): All tables up to 12×12 must be known by heart. Year 4 pupils sit the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) — an online 25-question test with a 6-second limit per question.
Year 5–6 (Age 9–11): Tables knowledge is applied to multi-digit multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, and algebra.
Secondary/GCSE: Rapid recall remains essential for non-calculator papers, where speed and accuracy determine outcomes.

Tips and Tricks for Remembering Times Tables

The 9s Finger Trick

Hold up 10 fingers. To find 9×4, fold down your 4th finger. You have 3 fingers to the left and 6 to the right — the answer is 36.

The 11s Pattern

11×1=11, 11×2=22... 11×9=99. For 11×10 onwards: 11×11=121, 11×12=132. Notice the middle digit grows by 1 each time.

Doubles for the 2s

Multiplying by 2 is simply doubling. 2×7 = double 7 = 14. Practice quick doubling to nail the 2 times table instantly.

Halving for the 5s

Multiply by 10 then halve the result: 5×8 = (10×8)÷2 = 80÷2 = 40. Alternatively, answers always end in 0 or 5.

The 4s = Double the 2s

4×7 = double (2×7) = double 14 = 28. If you know your 2s, you can always derive the 4s by doubling again.

Skip Counting

Say the multiples aloud in rhythm: "3, 6, 9, 12, 15..." Regular practice out loud builds memory faster than reading.

Patterns in Multiplication

Multiplication is full of patterns that make it easier to learn and check your answers.

The 9s digit sum always equals 9: 9×3=27 (2+7=9), 9×7=63 (6+3=9), 9×8=72 (7+2=9)
Even × even = even: 4×6=24, 8×12=96
Even × odd = even: 4×7=28, 6×9=54
Odd × odd = odd: 3×7=21, 5×9=45
Multiplying by 10: Add a zero — 7×10=70, 43×10=430
Multiplying by 100: Add two zeros — 7×100=700
Commutative law: 7×8 = 8×7 = 56. If you know 8×7, you know 7×8 too!
Square numbers: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144 — know these by heart

Times Tables and Division

Every multiplication fact gives you two division facts for free. This is called the inverse relationship:

7 × 8 = 56
Therefore: 56 ÷ 7 = 8 and 56 ÷ 8 = 7

Knowing your times tables means you automatically know your division facts. A child who knows 6×9=54 instantly knows 54÷6=9 and 54÷9=6. This is why the UK curriculum emphasises both simultaneously.

Times Tables in Real Life

Multiplication is used constantly in everyday life — often without us noticing:

Shopping: 4 items at £3.50 each = 4 × 3.50 = £14.00
Cooking: A recipe serves 4 but you need 12 portions — multiply every ingredient by 3
Tiling a floor: A 6m × 4m room needs 6 × 4 = 24 square metres of flooring
Time: 3 hours = 3 × 60 = 180 minutes
Speed: Travelling at 60 mph for 3 hours = 60 × 3 = 180 miles
Pay: Earning £12 per hour for 35 hours = 12 × 35 = £420

GCSE Multiplication Without a Calculator

GCSE Maths Paper 1 is a non-calculator paper. Students must be able to:

Multiply any two-digit numbers using the grid method or column multiplication
Multiply decimals (e.g. 3.4 × 2.5 — treat as 34 × 25 ÷ 100)
Recognise and recall square and cube numbers instantly
Use prime factorisation, which relies on quick mental multiplication
Apply multiplication to algebra, geometry (area/volume) and statistics

Example — Column multiplication: 347 × 23 = (347 × 20) + (347 × 3) = 6,940 + 1,041 = 7,981

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I multiply two numbers quickly?

Memorise your times tables up to 12×12 for single-digit and small double-digit multiplications. For larger numbers, use the grid method: break numbers into tens and units (e.g. 14×7 = (10×7) + (4×7) = 70+28 = 98). Practice regularly so the core facts become automatic.

What is the 9 times table trick?

The finger trick: hold up 10 fingers. To calculate 9×4, fold down your 4th finger from the left. Count the remaining fingers: 3 are to the left of the folded finger (tens digit) and 6 are to the right (units digit). Answer: 36. Also, the digits in every multiple of 9 add up to 9: 18 (1+8=9), 27 (2+7=9), 36 (3+6=9) and so on.

What year do UK children learn their times tables?

UK children learn multiplication progressively from Year 1. By the end of Year 2 they know 2s, 5s, and 10s. Year 3 adds 3s, 4s, and 8s. By the end of Year 4 (age 8–9), all tables up to 12×12 must be known by heart. Year 4 pupils take the Multiplication Tables Check — a government online test.

What is the difference between multiples and factors?

Multiples are the results of multiplying a given number by positive integers. For example, multiples of 4 are: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20... Factors are numbers that divide exactly into another number with no remainder. For example, the factors of 12 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. Knowing times tables helps you identify both quickly.

How are times tables used in real life?

Times tables appear in almost every area of daily life: working out the total cost of multiple items while shopping, scaling cooking recipes up or down, calculating area when decorating a room, converting units, computing wages and salaries, understanding percentages and interest rates, and many more situations. Strong multiplication skills save time and reduce errors.

Do you need to know times tables for GCSE maths?

Yes, definitely. GCSE Maths Paper 1 is entirely non-calculator. Students need instant recall of times tables to 12×12 as well as the ability to extend these to larger numbers using grid method or long multiplication. Strong table knowledge also speeds up work in all areas of GCSE maths, from algebra to statistics.