Multiplication by 8 Games for Kids

To learn the 8 times table, start from the multiplication facts your child already knows, cover the remaining facts with a strategy, and practice until recall is automatic. Most children meet the 8s already knowing the 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s and 10s, and every fact works both ways: 8 × 3 is the same as 3 × 8. Add 8 × 1 = 8, and six of the ten facts are already in place. Only four are new: 8 × 6, 8 × 7, 8 × 8 and 8 × 9 (and even fewer if your child has already learned the 6s or 7s).

Double the 4s

Eight is double four, so every 8 times table answer is double the matching 4 times table answer. For 8 × 6, take 4 × 6 = 24 and double it to get 48. For 8 × 8, take 4 × 8 = 32 and double it to get 64.

Double, Double, Double

Because 8 is 2 × 2 × 2, multiplying any number by 8 is the same as doubling it three times in a row. Even when a 4s fact slips your child's mind, three quick doubles get them there. For 8 × 6:

1. Double 6 to get 2 × 6 = 12.
2. Double 12 to get 4 × 6 = 24.
3. Double 24 to get 8 × 6 = 48.

Take 2s away from 10s

Eight groups are ten groups minus two groups. To work out 8 × 7, start with 10 × 7 = 70 and subtract 2 × 7 = 14: 70 − 14 = 56. And for 8 × 9, take one 8 away from 80: 80 − 8 = 72.

Remember 5, 6, 7, 8 and the even-digit pattern

Two quick checks help answers stick. First, 56 = 7 × 8 (or 8 × 7): the digits run 5, 6, 7, 8 in order. Second, every answer in the 8 times table is even, and the ones digits repeat a countdown of even numbers: 8, 6, 4, 2, 0 (8, 16, 24, 32, 40, then 48, 56, 64, 72, 80). You can also picture spider legs or octopus arms: 1 octopus has 8 arms, 3 octopuses have 24, and 8 spiders have 64 legs.

Common mistakes

• 54 or 58 instead of 56 for 8 × 7. 54 belongs to the 6s and 9s (6 × 9 = 54), and 58 is two too high. Use the 5, 6, 7, 8 hook (56 = 7 × 8) or add 8 to 8 × 6 = 48: 48 + 8 = 56.
• 46 instead of 48 for 8 × 6, or 66 instead of 64 for 8 × 8. When doubling 24 or 32 in their head, children sometimes slip on the ones digit. Check the repeating pattern 8, 6, 4, 2, 0: the 6th multiple ends in 8 (48) and the 8th multiple ends in 4 (64).
• Stopping after two doubles. Answering 24 for 8 × 6 or 28 for 8 × 7 means your child doubled twice (×4) instead of three times (×8). Remind them to double one more time: 24 → 48, 28 → 56.

For the methods your child's class is probably using, see our guide on how to teach multiplication. Curious where times tables come from? Read who invented times tables.