- What is SpeedSum?
- SpeedSum is a free, browser-based maths app for UK primary school children aged 5 to 11. It is designed to build mental arithmetic fluency through short, timed challenges covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Unlike traditional maths worksheets, SpeedSum uses game mechanics — including badges, avatars, streaks, and multiple game modes — to keep children motivated and engaged. Parents create a free account and can add up to five children, each with their own profile, progress dashboard, and personalised avatar. SpeedSum aligns with the KS1 and KS2 national curriculum and is used by families, teachers, and tutors across the UK.
- How do I play SpeedSum?
- Once logged in, children select a game mode and difficulty level, then answer arithmetic questions as quickly and accurately as possible. SpeedSum has five game modes: the 90 Second Challenge (answer as many questions as you can in 90 seconds), Get to 100 (score 100 points before the time runs out), Missing Piece (identify the missing number in an equation), Traffic Light (a multi-round accuracy challenge), and Times Table Tower (stack blocks by answering times table questions correctly). Each mode is available at beginner, intermediate, and expert difficulty. Parents can also set specific missions through the Parent Coach Mode, targeting particular operations or times tables their child is working on at school.
- Is SpeedSum free to use?
- Yes — SpeedSum is free to use with no adverts and no in-app purchases on the free tier. Parents simply create a free account and can add up to five children, each with full access to all game modes, progress tracking, badges, and avatars. There are no paywalls blocking core gameplay. A premium tier is available for families who want advanced analytics and the full AI-powered Parent Coach Mode with personalised mission suggestions. However, the free version gives children everything they need for daily maths practice, and most families find it more than sufficient for building arithmetic fluency.
- Can SpeedSum help my child improve their maths skills?
- Yes. SpeedSum is specifically designed to build the mental arithmetic fluency that underpins success in school maths. Research shows that children who can recall number facts quickly — such as times tables and addition bonds — have more working memory available for complex problem-solving in algebra, fractions, and reasoning tasks. SpeedSum's timed format creates the mild pressure that accelerates fact retrieval, while the AI difficulty adjustment ensures your child is always challenged at the right level. Most children who practise for 5–10 minutes a day show measurable improvement in speed and accuracy within two to three weeks. See how SpeedSum works for more detail on the learning approach.
- What devices does SpeedSum support?
- SpeedSum is a web-based app that runs in any modern browser — including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge — on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. There is nothing to download or install. Simply visit speedsum.co.uk, log in, and start practising. SpeedSum works on both iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices, making it easy to fit a quick session into any part of the day. An internet connection is required to load the app and save progress. The web version is fully optimised for touch screens, so it works just as well on a tablet or phone as on a desktop.
- How can I track my child's progress?
- Every child on SpeedSum has their own dedicated progress dashboard showing their session history, accuracy by operation, best streaks, personal bests, and badges earned. Parents can view a summary of each child's recent performance from their own parent account. The Parent Coach Mode goes further — it lets parents review AI-generated insights based on recent sessions and set personalised missions targeting the specific areas where their child needs more practice. You can see how accuracy is trending across different operations and difficulty levels, making it easy to spot where your child is improving and where they need more support.