X Tables
assessment

4 times table mastery checklist

A simple checklist covering understanding, practice, recall and mixed application for the 4 times table.

Quick answer

You can master the 4 times table by learning the facts from 0 × 4 to 12 × 4, practising them regularly, and using them in real-life situations like counting groups of 4 or sharing items equally.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to recall all the 4 times table facts quickly and use them to solve problems involving groups of 4. Success signs:
  • You can say the 4 times table from 0 × 4 to 12 × 4 without stopping
  • You can solve problems like "How many legs do 6 spiders have?" or "If you have 4 boxes with 8 toys in each, how many toys are there?"
  • You can use your knowledge to share items equally into groups of 4
  • You can spot patterns in the 4 times table, like how all answers are even numbers

Why this matters

Knowing your 4 times table helps you do maths faster and easier. You'll use it when:
  • Sharing snacks equally among 4 friends
  • Counting how many wheels are on 5 cars
  • Buying items in groups of 4
  • Playing games where you need to count by 4s
  • Working out how many items are in rows of 4
Even in games and sports, you'll use the 4 times table. If you're playing football and score 4 goals, you'll be counting by 4s to see your score. If you're building with blocks and make 3 rows of 4 blocks, you'll use the 4 times table to count how many blocks you used.

How it works

The 4 times table means you're adding 4 groups together. For example:
  • 3 × 4 means 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
  • 5 × 4 means 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 20
You can also think of it as rows of 4 items:
  • 2 rows of 4 = 8 items total
  • 6 rows of 4 = 24 items total

Examples you can see

Here are all the 4 times table facts from 0 to 12:
4 × Answer
0 × 4 0
1 × 4 4
2 × 4 8
3 × 4 12
4 × 4 16
5 × 4 20
6 × 4 24
7 × 4 28
8 × 4 32
9 × 4 36
10 × 4 40
11 × 4 44
12 × 4 48
Let's look at some real examples:
  • Counting legs: A spider has 8 legs. How many legs do 3 spiders have? 3 × 4 = 12 legs
  • Sharing snacks: You have 24 cookies to share equally among 4 friends. How many cookies does each friend get? 24 ÷ 4 = 6 cookies
  • Building blocks: You make 5 rows of 4 blocks. How many blocks do you use? 5 × 4 = 20 blocks

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The 4-Step Maths Mission You are a young explorer on a treasure hunt. You need to solve 4 challenges to find the treasure chest. Challenge 1: You find 4 coins on the ground. You find 4 more coins. How many coins do you have? 4 + 4 = 8 coins Challenge 2: You see 3 groups of 4 butterflies. How many butterflies are there? 3 × 4 = 12 butterflies Challenge 3: You have 16 pieces of candy to share equally among 4 friends. How many pieces does each friend get? 16 ÷ 4 = 4 pieces Challenge 4: You build a wall with 6 rows of 4 bricks. How many bricks do you use? 6 × 4 = 24 bricks Congratulations! You've completed all 4 challenges and found the treasure chest!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 4 × 4 = 16, but confusing it with 4 + 4 = 8
    Why it happens: Mixing up multiplication with addition
    Fix: Remember multiplication means groups of something. 4 × 4 means 4 groups of 4, which is 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 × 4 = 0
    Why it happens: Thinking zero is a special number that doesn't work
    Fix: Remember, if you have 0 groups of 4 items, you have 0 items total
  • Mistake: Counting by 4s but skipping numbers like 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48
    Why it happens: Not knowing the pattern well
    Fix: Practice counting by 4s out loud and use your fingers to keep track
  • Mistake: Mixing up 4 × 6 and 4 × 7
    Why it happens: Confusing similar answers
    Fix: Write out the facts and look for patterns. 4 × 6 = 24, 4 × 7 = 28

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child master the 4 times table in just 5-10 minutes a day:
  • Practice together: Say the 4 times table out loud together. Try counting by 4s from 0 to 48
  • Use everyday objects: Count 4 legs on 3 chairs, or 4 wheels on 5 cars
  • Make it fun: Play a game where you say a number and your child says the answer to 4 × that number
  • Check progress: Ask your child to solve 4 × 8, 4 × 11, or 4 × 3
  • Watch for confusion: If they mix up 4 × 4 = 16 with 4 + 4 = 8, help them understand groups
What to say:
  • "Let's count by 4s together"
  • "How many legs do 5 spiders have?"
  • "Can you show me 4 × 6 using blocks?"
What not to worry about:
  • They might mix up the order at first – that's normal
  • They might not know all facts at once – practice makes progress
  • They might count on fingers – that's okay, they'll move past it

Practice questions

  1. What is 4 × 7?
    Answer: 28
  2. How many wheels are on 6 cars?
    Answer: 24
  3. What is 4 × 12?
    Answer: 48
  4. If 32 children are divided equally into 4 teams, how many children are in each team?
    Answer: 8
  5. What is 4 × 9?
    Answer: 36

FAQ

What is the 4 times table?

The 4 times table is all the multiplication facts that involve multiplying by 4. It shows how many items you get when you have groups of 4.

Why is the 4 times table important?

It helps you count faster, solve sharing problems, and understand patterns in numbers. It's used in many real-life situations like counting legs, wheels, or sharing items.

How can I remember the 4 times table?

You can remember it by counting by 4s, using objects like blocks or toys, drawing arrays, or practising with games and songs.

What are some tricks for the 4 times table?

One trick is to double the number and double it again. For example, 6 × 4 is the same as 6 × 2 = 12, then 12 × 2 = 24.

How can I practice at home?

You can count by 4s, use everyday items like toys or food to make groups of 4, play multiplication games, or use online maths games that focus on the 4 times table.