How to Learn the 6 Times Table: Easy Tricks
By the TimesTable.co team · Updated · 3 min read
The 6 times table sits right in the middle of the "hard" tables, and 6 × 7, 6 × 8 and 6 × 9 are among the facts children forget most often. But the 6s are closely tied to tables your child probably already knows (the 3s and the 5s), so with the right tricks they're far easier than they first look.
What is the 6 times table?
| Fact | Answer | Fact | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 6 | 6 | 7 × 6 | 42 |
| 2 × 6 | 12 | 8 × 6 | 48 |
| 3 × 6 | 18 | 9 × 6 | 54 |
| 4 × 6 | 24 | 10 × 6 | 60 |
| 5 × 6 | 30 | 11 × 6 | 66 |
| 6 × 6 | 36 | 12 × 6 | 72 |
Trick 1: How does doubling the 3s work?
Six is two threes, so every 6s answer is double the 3s answer. 3 × 8 = 24, so 6 × 8 = 48. If your child is secure with the 3s, the 6s are just one extra step. If they aren't, it's worth going back to the 3s first. See what order to learn times tables in.
Trick 2: How do you use the 5s to get the 6s?
Six lots of something is five lots plus one more lot. So 6 × 7 = 5 × 7 (35) + 7 = 42. This is especially handy for the hard end of the table, because 5s facts are easy: 6 × 9 = 45 + 9 = 54. You can see this split with dot arrays in the multiplication visualiser: five rows plus one more row.
Trick 3: What is the even-number pattern?
When you multiply 6 by an even number, the answer ends in that same number:
- 6 × 2 = 12
- 6 × 4 = 24
- 6 × 6 = 36
- 6 × 8 = 48
And the tens digit is half the number you multiplied by: 6 × 8 → half of 8 is 4 → 48. Children love finding this, and it nails 6 × 8, one of the most-forgotten facts.
How do you remember 6 × 7 = 42?
Use doubling (3 × 7 = 21, double is 42) or the 5s trick (35 + 7 = 42). Some children also like the fact that 6 × 7 is the same as 7 × 6, so learning it once covers two tables.
How should my child practise the 6 times table?
- Look at the 6s on the times table grid and spot the patterns above.
- Practise in order a couple of times, then out of order with 6 times table practice.
- Once a few facts feel easy, let smart practice bring back only the tricky ones.
- Print 6s flashcards for car journeys.
Next up: the 7 times table, which will now have only a couple of new facts left.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to learn the 6 times table?
Double the 3 times table. If your child knows 3 × 7 = 21, then 6 × 7 is double 21, which is 42.
What is the 6 times table up to 12?
6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72.
Which 6 times table facts are hardest?
Usually 6 × 7 = 42, 6 × 8 = 48 and 6 × 9 = 54. Give these extra practice and use the add-a-6 trick from 6 × 5 = 30 to work them out.
Is there a pattern in the 6 times table?
Yes. Every answer is even, and when you multiply 6 by an even number, the answer ends in that same number: 6 × 2 = 12, 6 × 4 = 24, 6 × 6 = 36, 6 × 8 = 48.
Should my child learn the 3s before the 6s?
Yes, ideally. The 6s are exactly double the 3s, so knowing the 3s first makes the 6s much quicker to learn.
How can I check a 6 times table answer?
It must be even and its digits must add up to 3, 6 or 9. For 54: it is even, and 5 + 4 = 9, so it passes both checks.