What age should children learn the 6 times table?

The 6 times table is introduced in Year 4 (age 8–9) as children work towards knowing all multiplication facts up to 12 × 12. It is assessed in the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check.

Is there a trick for the 6 times table?

The most reliable approach is the 3× doubling method: 6 × n = 2 × (3 × n). This is a genuine strategy but should be treated as a stepping stone to full memorisation, not a permanent approach, as it is too slow for timed tests.

How long does it take to learn the 6 times table?

The 6 times table typically takes four to six weeks of daily practice to fully automate, particularly the higher facts. Children who are already secure with the 3 and 4 times tables tend to find the 6s more manageable.

Is the 6 times table on the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check?

Yes. The 6, 7, 8, and 9 times tables are the ones that most commonly cause hesitation during the MTC. Early and consistent practice — starting well before the June assessment — is particularly valuable for these tables.

6 Times Table Games for Kids

Practise the 6 times table

Play a round right here — no account, no download. Pick how you want to practise and press start.

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The 6 times table is often where multiplication practice becomes genuinely difficult. There is no simple trick that makes the 6s instantly accessible — it requires real memorisation. Regular 6 times table games are one of the most effective ways to build the recall children need before the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check.

SpeedSum offers focused game modes that can target the 6 times table specifically, helping children make steady progress through short daily practice sessions.

What Is the 6 Times Table?

The 6 times table produces even multiples: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30... All answers are even numbers. A helpful strategy is connecting the 6 times table to the 3 times table: 6 × n is always double 3 × n. For example, 6 × 7 = 42 because 3 × 7 = 21 and 21 × 2 = 42. The 6 times table is introduced in Year 4 as children work towards knowing all facts up to 12 × 12.

The complete 6 times table, from 6 × 1 to 6 × 12
Equation	Answer
6 × 1	6
6 × 2	12
6 × 3	18
6 × 4	24
6 × 5	30
6 × 6	36
6 × 7	42
6 × 8	48
6 × 9	54
6 × 10	60
6 × 11	66
6 × 12	72

The complete 6 times table, from 6 × 1 to 6 × 12.

Why Children Find the 6 Times Table Difficult

The 6 times table is consistently rated one of the most difficult by primary school children. Unlike the 5s, 10s, or even the 3s, there is no obvious shortcut.

No standout pattern — the 6 times table answers have no consistent ending digit, making pure recall essential
The 6 × 6, 6 × 7, 6 × 8, 6 × 9 cluster — these four facts are closely spaced and frequently confused
The "double the 3s" strategy requires a secure 3 times table, which not all Year 4 children have fully automated

Tips for Learning the 6 Times Table

1Build on the 3 times table: if your child knows 3 × 8 = 24, they can work out 6 × 8 = 48 by doubling
2Learn the hardest cluster together: 6 × 6 = 36, 6 × 7 = 42, 6 × 8 = 48 — these three facts are worth drilling specifically
3Point out that all 6× answers are even as a quick self-check
4Practise 6× facts in random order, not just reciting 6, 12, 18, 24
5Keep sessions short and daily: 5 minutes of focused game-based practice is more effective than a 30-minute drill once a week

Common Mistakes with the 6 Times Table

6 × 7 and 6 × 8 confusion

6 × 7 = 42 and 6 × 8 = 48 are the most commonly confused adjacent facts in the 6 times table. Drilling these two side by side — and emphasising the 6-fact gap — helps distinguish them.

Using the 3× strategy incorrectly

Children who use the "double the 3s" approach sometimes double the wrong number. Checking that the 6× answer is always larger than the 3× answer is a useful safeguard.

Forgetting 6 × 6 = 36

Square facts like 6 × 6 = 36 cannot be reached by commutativity from a different table. Specific repetition of this fact separately from the rest of the 6× table helps it stick.

How SpeedSum Helps with 6 Times Table Practice

SpeedSum is a free maths practice platform built by parents. Its five game modes target different aspects of multiplication fluency — from timed speed challenges to inverse-operation practice. 4 of them can be pointed at a single table, so children can practise the 6 times table in several formats.

90 Second Challenge

Answer as many 6 times table questions as possible in 90 seconds. The time pressure drives rapid retrieval and helps build automatic recall.

Get to 100 Challenge

Work up to a score of 100 at your own pace, with questions that get harder as you go — good for building accuracy and stamina across mixed arithmetic.

Missing Piece Challenge

Questions appear with a missing factor, for example 6 × ? = 42. This develops the inverse-operation thinking that underpins division.

Traffic Light Challenge

Answer 6 times table questions and get colour-coded feedback: green for fast and correct, amber for correct but slow, red for incorrect.

Times Table Tower

Stack blocks by answering 6 times table questions correctly. Each correct answer adds a block; each wrong answer takes one away.

Keep track of your child's 6 times table progress

The practice above works without an account. A free account adds a profile for each child, saves every session, and shows you which 6 times table facts they still find hard.

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Frequently Asked Questions: 6 Times Table

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