X Tables
Number Sense

Counting in fives

Use hands, tally marks and clock numbers to count by fives.

Quick answer

Counting in fives means counting numbers that are five more than the previous number: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and so on. You can count by fives using your fingers, tally marks, or clock numbers.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count in fives from 0 to 60 and use this skill to solve simple problems involving groups of five. Success signs:
  • You can count forward in fives from 0 to 60
  • You can count backward in fives from 60 to 0
  • You can use counting in fives to solve simple problems
  • You can spot patterns when counting in fives

Why this matters

Counting in fives is a useful skill that helps you:
  • Count money quickly (coins and notes)
  • Read a clock (minutes)
  • Count groups of things more easily
  • Learn multiplication tables later
  • Understand bigger numbers
Counting in fives is like a shortcut that makes counting faster and easier. It helps you understand how numbers work and how they connect to the world around you.

How it works

Counting in fives means adding five each time. You start at zero and keep adding five. Let’s look at how it works step by step:
  1. Start at 0
  2. Add 5 to get 5
  3. Add 5 to get 10
  4. Add 5 to get 15
  5. Add 5 to get 20
  6. Add 5 to get 25
  7. Add 5 to get 30
  8. Add 5 to get 35
  9. Add 5 to get 40
  10. Add 5 to get 45
  11. Add 5 to get 50
  12. Add 5 to get 55
  13. Add 5 to get 60
You can also count backwards by taking away five each time:
  1. Start at 60
  2. Take away 5 to get 55
  3. Take away 5 to get 50
  4. Take away 5 to get 45
  5. Take away 5 to get 40
  6. Take away 5 to get 35
  7. Take away 5 to get 30
  8. Take away 5 to get 25
  9. Take away 5 to get 20
  10. Take away 5 to get 15
  11. Take away 5 to get 10
  12. Take away 5 to get 5
  13. Take away 5 to get 0

Examples you can see

Here are some ways to count in fives:

Using your hands

Counting on your fingers is a fun way to learn. Each hand has five fingers. So, if you use both hands, you can count in fives:
  • One hand: 5
  • Two hands: 10
  • Three hands: 15
  • Four hands: 20
  • Five hands: 25
  • Six hands: 30

Using tally marks

Tally marks are a way to count using lines. When you count in fives, you make a group of five lines and then a diagonal line through them:
  • First group: ||||\
  • Second group: ||||\ ||||\
  • Third group: ||||\ ||||\ ||||\
Each group of five lines means you’ve counted five more.

Using a clock

Clocks help you count in fives because the minute hand moves in five-minute jumps:
  • At 5 minutes past the hour: 5
  • At 10 minutes past the hour: 10
  • At 15 minutes past the hour: 15
  • At 20 minutes past the hour: 20
  • At 25 minutes past the hour: 25
  • At 30 minutes past the hour: 30
  • At 35 minutes past the hour: 35
  • At 40 minutes past the hour: 40
  • At 45 minutes past the hour: 45
  • At 50 minutes past the hour: 50
  • At 55 minutes past the hour: 55
  • At 60 minutes past the hour: 60

Real-world example: Counting sweets

Imagine you have a big jar of sweets. You want to count how many there are. You can group them into sets of five:
  • First group: 5 sweets
  • Second group: 10 sweets
  • Third group: 15 sweets
  • Fourth group: 20 sweets
  • Fifth group: 25 sweets
  • Sixth group: 30 sweets
This makes it easier to count a lot of sweets without losing track.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt

You are going on a treasure hunt! The map shows that the treasure is hidden at a spot that is 50 steps away from the starting point. You have to walk 5 steps, then 5 more, then 5 more, and so on.
  1. 1st time: 5 steps
  2. 2nd time: 10 steps
  3. 3rd time: 15 steps
  4. 4th time: 20 steps
  5. 5th time: 25 steps
  6. 6th time: 30 steps
  7. 7th time: 35 steps
  8. 8th time: 40 steps
  9. 9th time: 45 steps
  10. 10th time: 50 steps
You found the treasure! You walked 50 steps by counting in fives.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to add 5 each time. Why it happens: The pattern is not clear in your mind. Fix: Use your fingers or draw tally marks to help you count in fives.
  • Mistake: Jumping from 25 to 40 instead of 30. Why it happens: Not remembering the sequence. Fix: Practice counting aloud and write the numbers down.
  • Mistake: Counting 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65. Why it happens: Adding one too many. Fix: Remember that we stop at 60, not 65.
  • Mistake: Counting backwards from 60, but going 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 0. Why it happens: Not remembering that we are taking away 5 each time. Fix: Practice with your hands or use a number line to check your work.

Parent and carer guide

Counting in fives is a fun and useful skill for children to learn. Here are some tips to help your child:
  • Use your fingers to count in fives. Ask your child to show 5 fingers, then 10 fingers, and so on.
  • Play a game where you count in fives while walking or driving. For example, count the number of cars, trees, or houses you pass.
  • Use clocks to show how minutes are counted in fives. Ask your child to tell you what time it is in five-minute intervals.
  • Practice with real objects like coins, blocks, or sweets to count in fives.
  • Encourage your child to write the numbers from 0 to 60, counting in fives.
  • Make it fun by singing a counting song or clapping in fives.

Practice questions

  1. What comes after 30 when counting in fives?
  2. What comes before 45 when counting in fives?
  3. Count in fives from 0 to 30.
  4. Count in fives from 60 to 0.
  5. How many fives are in 25?
Answers:
  1. 35
  2. 40
  3. 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
  4. 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 0
  5. 5

FAQ

What is counting in fives?

Counting in fives means counting numbers that go up by five each time, starting from zero: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60.

Why is counting in fives helpful?

Counting in fives helps you count faster, understand time, count money, and prepare for multiplication tables.

How can I practice counting in fives?

You can practice by using your fingers, drawing tally marks, looking at a clock, or counting objects in groups of five.

Can I count backwards in fives?

Yes! Counting backwards in fives means subtracting 5 each time: 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 0.

What are some real-life uses of counting in fives?

You can use counting in fives to count minutes on a clock, count money (coins), count groups of things like sweets or blocks, and solve simple maths problems.