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8 times table chants and rhythms

Original chant, clap and beat ideas for helping children remember the 8 times table without copying any existing song.

Quick answer

8 times table chants and rhythms are fun, musical ways to help children learn and remember the 8 times table. By clapping, stomping, or chanting the numbers in a rhythm, children can remember 8 x 1 = 8, 8 x 2 = 16, and all the way up to 8 x 12 = 96 without memorising by rote.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know how to use songs, rhymes, and rhythms to learn the 8 times table. You will be able to clap or chant the 8 times table from 0 to 12, and understand how this helps you remember the answers quickly. Success signs:
  • You can say the 8 times table from 0 x 8 to 12 x 8 in a rhythm or chant
  • You can clap or stomp the rhythm of the 8 times table
  • You can use the rhythm to help you remember the answers
  • You can create your own 8 times table rhythm or chant

Why this matters

Learning the 8 times table is important because it helps you solve bigger maths problems quickly. When you know your 8 times table, you can work out how many cookies are in 8 packs, or how many wheels are on 8 cars. Using chants and rhythms makes it easier to remember, especially when you're learning new maths or doing tricky problems. Chants and rhythms are also great for helping children who learn better with movement or music. They can help children who might find maths hard or boring to enjoy learning. Plus, when you know your times tables well, you’ll feel more confident in maths class and when you play games or do puzzles.

How it works

Chants and rhythms help children remember the 8 times table by connecting numbers to music and movement. You can use clapping, stomping, or singing to make each multiplication feel like a fun beat. Here’s how to make your own 8 times table chant:
  1. Start with the numbers 0 to 12.
  2. For each number, multiply it by 8.
  3. Choose a rhythm or beat for each answer.
  4. Clap, stomp, or say the number in a beat.
  5. Repeat the chant so it becomes familiar.
For example, 8 x 1 = 8. You can say "Eight, eight, eight!" and clap once for each "eight". Then 8 x 2 = 16, so you might say "Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen!" and clap twice. Keep going until you reach 8 x 12 = 96.

Examples you can see

Here is the full 8 times table with a rhythm idea for each answer:
8 x Answer Rhythm idea
0 0 Quiet, no claps
1 8 Clap once for "eight"
2 16 Clap twice for "sixteen"
3 24 Clap three times for "twenty-four"
4 32 Clap four times for "thirty-two"
5 40 Clap five times for "forty"
6 48 Clap six times for "forty-eight"
7 56 Clap seven times for "fifty-six"
8 64 Clap eight times for "sixty-four"
9 72 Clap nine times for "seventy-two"
10 80 Clap ten times for "eighty"
11 88 Clap eleven times for "eighty-eight"
12 96 Clap twelve times for "ninety-six"
Try this chant with your hands:
  • 8 x 1 = 8 – Clap once, say "eight"
  • 8 x 2 = 16 – Clap twice, say "sixteen"
  • 8 x 3 = 24 – Clap three times, say "twenty-four"
  • 8 x 4 = 32 – Clap four times, say "thirty-two"

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The 8 Times Table Treasure Hunt You are a brave explorer looking for a treasure chest. The chest is locked with a code. To open it, you must solve the 8 times table and count your way to the correct number. Your first clue is: “There are 8 pirates on the ship, and each pirate has 2 treasure maps. How many maps are there in total?” Answer: 8 x 2 = 16 maps. Now, you must clap 16 times to find the next clue. Your second clue: “There are 8 boxes of jewels, and each box holds 3 jewels. How many jewels are there?” Answer: 8 x 3 = 24 jewels. Clap 24 times to find the next clue. Keep going until you reach 8 x 12 = 96 jewels. When you’ve clapped 96 times, you’ll find the treasure chest! You can also make up your own clues and have a friend or parent help you solve them.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Clapping the wrong number of times for a multiplication.
    Why it happens: Confusing the multiplication with the answer.
    Fix: Count the multiplication (e.g., 8 x 3) and then clap that many times.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to say the number out loud.
    Why it happens: Trying to remember the rhythm without using words.
    Fix: Say the number out loud while clapping or stomping.
  • Mistake: Not using a consistent beat.
    Why it happens: Jumping from one rhythm to another.
    Fix: Pick one rhythm and stick to it, like clapping once for each number.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children learn the 8 times table chants and rhythms by:
  • Practising the chant together, clapping or stomping the rhythm
  • Letting the child lead the chant or create their own beat
  • Using the chant during quiet time or car rides to help with memory
  • Encouraging the child to count in groups of 8 (8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96)
  • Using a timer to make it a fun challenge – “Can you do the chant 3 times in a row?”
It’s okay if the child makes mistakes. The key is to keep practicing and making it fun. Don’t worry if they don’t get it right away – repetition helps!

Practice questions

  1. What is 8 x 5?
  2. How many claps would you make for 8 x 7?
  3. What is 8 x 9?
  4. How many times do you clap for 8 x 10?
  5. What is 8 x 12?
Answers:
  1. 40
  2. 7 claps
  3. 72
  4. 10 claps
  5. 96

FAQ

What is the 8 times table?

The 8 times table is the list of multiplication facts where 8 is multiplied by numbers from 0 to 12. For example, 8 x 1 = 8, 8 x 2 = 16, and so on.

How can I use chants to learn the 8 times table?

You can make a chant by saying the numbers out loud and clapping or stomping to the beat. For example, say "Eight, sixteen, twenty-four" and clap once, twice, three times for each number.

Why are rhythms helpful for learning times tables?

Rhythms help your brain remember numbers by connecting them to music and movement. This makes it easier to recall the answers when you're doing maths problems.

Can I make up my own chant?

Yes! You can make up your own rhythm or chant for the 8 times table. Try using your voice, clapping, or even dancing to the beat.

What if I forget the 8 times table?

If you forget, try counting in groups of 8 (8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96) or use your chant to help you remember.