The 9 Times Table Finger Trick, Step by Step
By the TimesTable.co team · Updated · 3 min read
The 9s finger trick is probably the best-loved trick in primary maths, because it feels like magic and it never goes wrong. It takes about a minute to teach, and it gives children who dread the 9 times table an instant win. Below is the trick step by step, the reason it works, and how to move beyond it.
How do you do the 9 times table on your fingers?
- Hold both hands up in front of you, palms facing you, fingers spread.
- Number your fingers 1 to 10 from left to right, starting with the little finger of your left hand.
- To work out 9 × n, fold down finger number n.
- Count the fingers to the left of the folded finger: that is the tens.
- Count the fingers to the right: that is the ones.
Worked example: 9 × 7
Fold down the 7th finger. Six fingers stand to its left and three to its right, so the answer is 63.
| Fact | Finger folded | Left (tens) | Right (ones) | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 × 2 | 2nd | 1 | 8 | 18 |
| 9 × 4 | 4th | 3 | 6 | 36 |
| 9 × 6 | 6th | 5 | 4 | 54 |
| 9 × 8 | 8th | 7 | 2 | 72 |
| 9 × 10 | 10th | 9 | 0 | 90 |
Why does the finger trick work?
Multiplying by 9 is the same as multiplying by 10 and taking one lot away: 9 × 7 = 70 − 7 = 63. So the answer to 9 × n always has n − 1 tens and 10 − n ones. Folding finger n leaves exactly n − 1 fingers on the left and 10 − n on the right. That's all the magic is, and explaining it to an older child is a lovely bit of real maths.
What patterns can children spot in the 9 times table?
- The tens go up by one each time: 0, 1, 2, 3 … 9.
- The ones go down by one each time: 9, 8, 7 … 0.
- The digits of each answer add up to 9: 3 + 6, 7 + 2, 5 + 4.
- The tens digit is always one less than the number you multiplied by: 9 × 8 starts with 7.
That last pattern gives a no-fingers version: for 9 × 8, the tens digit is 7, and the ones digit is whatever makes the digits add to 9, which is 2. So 72. Try it on the times table grid, where the 9s column shows the pattern at a glance.
What about 9 × 11 and 9 × 12?
You run out of fingers! Use the 10-minus-1 method instead: 9 × 11 = 110 − 11 = 99, and 9 × 12 = 120 − 12 = 108.
How do you move beyond the finger trick?
The finger trick is a crutch. A good one, but the aim is instant recall. Once your child is comfortable, practise the 9s in mixed order with 9 times table practice, then mix them with other tables in smart practice. There's also a finger method for the harder 6 to 10 tables, and more tricks for every table.
Where next?
Once the 9s are secure, the 11s are a quick win, and the 12 times table uses a similar split. Practise every table with a printed chart nearby, and check your child's progress on the times table grid.
Frequently asked questions
How does the 9 times table finger trick work?
Hold up both hands and fold down the finger matching the number you are multiplying 9 by, counting from the left. The fingers to the left of the folded one are the tens and the fingers to the right are the ones.
Does the finger trick work for 9 × 11 and 9 × 12?
No, it only works from 9 × 1 to 9 × 10 because you have ten fingers. For 9 × 11 and 9 × 12, use 10 × the number minus the number: 110 − 11 = 99 and 120 − 12 = 108.
Why does the 9s finger trick work?
Multiplying by 9 is the same as multiplying by 10 and taking one lot away, so the tens digit goes up by one each time while the ones digit goes down by one. Folding a finger shows exactly that split.
What patterns are in the 9 times table?
Up to 9 × 10, the tens digit counts up from 0 to 9 while the ones digit counts down from 9 to 0, and the two digits always add up to 9.
What age is the finger trick good for?
Children of around 7 to 9 enjoy it most, when they are first meeting the 9s. It gives quick confidence, but they should still practise until they can recall the facts without it.
Is there another quick way to multiply by 9?
Yes: multiply by 10 and subtract the number once. For 9 × 7 that is 70 − 7 = 63. This works for any number, not just up to 10.