SpeedSum

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about SpeedSum — get started with confidence.

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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, level, badges, and personalised avatar. SpeedSum aligns with the KS1 and KS2 national curriculum.
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 nothing for children to buy. Parents simply create a free account and can add up to five children, each with full access to the five core practice modes, levels, streaks, badges, and avatars. There are no paywalls on core gameplay. For parents who want to see exactly where their child is, SpeedSum Premium adds the Times Table Mastery Heatmap, AI Tutor Feedback after any session, AI mission suggestions in Coach Mode, progress analytics, and Challenge Mode for family maths duels. Premium covers the whole family: £9.99 for the first year as an introductory offer, then £19.99 a year, or £4.99 a month if you prefer to pay monthly. New families can try Premium free for 7 days, with no card needed.
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. Progress varies from child to child, so rather than promising a timescale, SpeedSum tracks each child's own speed and accuracy so you can see what is actually changing. 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?
On a free account, each child has their own profile showing their level, XP, practice streak and badges, and they see their score after every round. Parent Coach Mode gives you a weekly summary of their wins and areas to work on, and lets you set missions with custom rewards. SpeedSum Premium adds the full picture: session history, score and accuracy trends, accuracy by operation, AI Tutor Feedback after any session, AI mission suggestions, and the Times Table Mastery Heatmap, which shows which of the 144 multiplication facts your child has mastered. New families can try Premium free for 7 days, with no card needed.

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