Finger Multiplication: Times Tables 6 to 10 on Your Hands
By the TimesTable.co team · Updated · 3 min read
Finger multiplication is an old trick, taught for centuries, that turns the hard end of the times tables, 6 × 6 up to 10 × 10, into a counting game. Children find it amazing that their hands "know" 7 × 8. It's slower than remembering, but it's a brilliant backup and a lovely way to explore why multiplication works.
How do you set up your hands?
Hold both hands in front of you, palms facing you, fingertips pointing at each other. On each hand, number the fingers from the thumb upwards: thumb = 6, index = 7, middle = 8, ring = 9, little finger = 10.
How do you work out 7 × 8 with your fingers?
- Touch the 7-finger (index) on one hand to the 8-finger (middle) on the other.
- Count the touching fingers plus all the fingers below them. Left hand: thumb + index = 2. Right hand: thumb + index + middle = 3. That's 5 fingers = 5 tens = 50.
- Count the fingers above the touching ones on each hand: 3 on one hand, 2 on the other. Multiply them: 3 × 2 = 6.
- Add: 50 + 6 = 56. So 7 × 8 = 56.
Can you show more examples?
| Fact | Tens (touching + below) | Top fingers | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 × 9 | 1 + 4 = 5 → 50 | 4 × 1 = 4 | 54 |
| 8 × 8 | 3 + 3 = 6 → 60 | 2 × 2 = 4 | 64 |
| 7 × 9 | 2 + 4 = 6 → 60 | 3 × 1 = 3 | 63 |
| 6 × 7 | 1 + 2 = 3 → 30 | 4 × 3 = 12 | 42 |
| 9 × 10 | 4 + 5 = 9 → 90 | 1 × 0 = 0 | 90 |
Notice 6 × 7: the top fingers make 12, more than ten. That's fine: just add 30 + 12 = 42.
Why does finger multiplication work?
Each finger number is 5 plus the fingers you count up to it. The tens you count are the two "extras" added together, and the top fingers are what's left of 10 on each hand. When you put the pieces back together, the algebra works out to exactly the product. For older children, it's a great puzzle: try to explain why with a few examples on the times table grid.
Is it better than the 9s finger trick?
They're different tools. The 9 times table finger trick is faster but only works for the 9s. Finger multiplication works for any pair from 6 to 10, which covers the facts children find hardest, like 6 × 8, 7 × 7 and 7 × 8.
How do you move from fingers to instant recall?
Use the fingers to check, then say the fact aloud. Over time, encourage your child to try remembering first. Short daily sessions with smart practice and times table practice will turn the tricky facts into instant ones. For the reasons behind each fact, the dot arrays in the multiplication visualiser make a good companion, and there are more ideas in times tables tricks that work.
Which facts should my child practise with it?
The facts this trick covers are exactly the ones children find hardest. Our guides to the 6, 7 and 8 times tables give a second strategy for each, and a round of memory match is a fun way to check them.
Frequently asked questions
How does finger multiplication work?
Number each hand from 6 (thumb) to 10 (little finger). Touch the two fingers you are multiplying. The touching fingers and those below them count as tens; multiply the fingers left above on each hand for the ones, then add.
Which times tables does finger multiplication work for?
It works for any fact where both numbers are between 6 and 10, such as 7 × 8 or 6 × 9. Use the 9s finger trick or normal recall for the rest.
Why does finger multiplication work?
It is a clever use of algebra. Counting fingers splits each number into 5 plus a bit, and the tens and ones you count rebuild the full product.
Is finger multiplication a good way to learn times tables?
It is a fun backup and a good way to check an answer, but it is slower than recall. Use it to build confidence, then keep practising until the facts are instant.
What if the top fingers multiply to more than 10?
This happens with 6 × 6 and 6 × 7. Just add as normal: for 6 × 6, you get 2 tens (20) and 4 × 4 = 16 ones, so 20 + 16 = 36.
What age is finger multiplication for?
Children of about 8 and up, once they know what multiplication means and can multiply small numbers like 3 × 2.