9 Times Table Games for Kids
Practise the 9 times table
Play a round right here — no account, no download. Pick how you want to practise and press start.
Free to play. No sign-up needed to start.
The 9 times table is one of the most pattern-rich in the curriculum: its digits always sum to 9, the tens digit counts up as the units digit counts down, and there is a well-known finger trick. Despite these features, 9 times table games are still essential — patterns can only be relied on once children have built enough underlying fluency to use them quickly.
SpeedSum provides game-based practice that builds on these patterns to develop genuine 9× recall through short daily sessions that keep children engaged and coming back consistently.
What Is the 9 Times Table?
The 9 times table produces the sequence: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90. Two notable patterns: the tens digit of each answer increases by 1 (1, 2, 3...) while the units digit decreases by 1 (8, 7, 6...). Also, the digits of any 9× answer up to 9 × 10 add up to 9: for example, 9 × 7 = 63 and 6 + 3 = 9. This digital root check is a reliable self-correction tool.
| Equation | Answer |
|---|---|
| 9 × 1 | 9 |
| 9 × 2 | 18 |
| 9 × 3 | 27 |
| 9 × 4 | 36 |
| 9 × 5 | 45 |
| 9 × 6 | 54 |
| 9 × 7 | 63 |
| 9 × 8 | 72 |
| 9 × 9 | 81 |
| 9 × 10 | 90 |
| 9 × 11 | 99 |
| 9 × 12 | 108 |
The complete 9 times table, from 9 × 1 to 9 × 12.
Why Children Find the 9 Times Table Difficult
Despite the helpful patterns, the 9 times table still catches children out — particularly in the higher facts or under timed pressure.
- Patterns break down for higher facts — the digital root trick works up to 9 × 10, but 9 × 11 = 99 and 9 × 12 = 108 require different handling
- The finger trick can become a crutch — children who always use the finger method are too slow for the MTC's 6-second window
- Higher facts (9 × 7, 9 × 8, 9 × 9) require genuine recall — the patterns help but are not instant enough for timed tests
Tips for Learning the 9 Times Table
- 1Teach the finger trick: hold up 10 fingers, fold down the nth finger, and read the tens (fingers left) and units (fingers right)
- 2Explain the digital root rule: if the digits of the answer do not add up to 9, the answer is wrong — useful for self-checking
- 3Give specific attention to 9 × 7 = 63, 9 × 8 = 72, and 9 × 9 = 81 — these are the facts most often answered incorrectly
- 4Practise in random order to move beyond the counting pattern and build isolated recall
- 5Use SpeedSum's Missing Piece Challenge for the 9 times table to practise inverse relationships: 9 × ? = 63
Common Mistakes with the 9 Times Table
9 × 7 and 9 × 8 confusion
9 × 7 = 63 and 9 × 8 = 72 are frequently confused. The digital root check helps (6 + 3 = 9 and 7 + 2 = 9), but children need to know which fact gives which answer. Specific focused practice on these two helps.
Over-reliance on the finger trick
Children who always use the finger trick are practising a method, not building recall. The trick is a useful first step, but regular rapid-recall practice should follow.
Errors on 9 × 11 and 9 × 12
9 × 11 = 99 and 9 × 12 = 108 fall outside the range of the most commonly taught patterns. Children need specific practice on these facts separately from the rest of the table.
How SpeedSum Helps with 9 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 9 times table in several formats.
90 Second Challenge
Answer as many 9 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 9 × ? = 63. This develops the inverse-operation thinking that underpins division.
Traffic Light Challenge
Answer 9 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 9 times table questions correctly. Each correct answer adds a block; each wrong answer takes one away.
Keep track of your child's 9 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 9 times table facts they still find hard.
Create a free accountFree forever. No credit card required. Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile.