X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

8 times table in real life: chessboard rows

Use chessboard rows to make the 8 times table concrete, funny and memorable.

Quick answer

8 times table in real life: chessboard rows means using the rows on a chessboard to help you learn your 8 times table. A chessboard has 8 rows, so you can count 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, and 120 by counting the squares in each row.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know how to multiply by 8 using chessboard rows and understand how 8 times table works in everyday life. Success signs:
  • You can count in 8s from 0 to 120
  • You can use chessboard rows to show 8 x 3 = 24
  • You can solve real-life problems using 8 times table
  • You can explain how 8 x 5 = 40 using rows

Why this matters

Learning the 8 times table helps you solve problems quickly. When you know 8 x 6 = 48, you can quickly figure out how many legs 6 spiders have, or how many squares are in 6 rows of a chessboard. Chessboards are everywhere – in games, puzzles, art, and even in some board games. Knowing the 8 times table makes you faster at counting and solving problems in real life.

How it works

The chessboard has 8 rows, and each row has 8 squares. So, if you count the squares in 1 row, you get 8. If you count the squares in 2 rows, you get 16. If you count the squares in 3 rows, you get 24. That's 8 x 3 = 24. You can use this idea to multiply any number by 8. For example:
  • 1 row = 8 squares → 1 x 8 = 8
  • 2 rows = 16 squares → 2 x 8 = 16
  • 3 rows = 24 squares → 3 x 8 = 24
  • 4 rows = 32 squares → 4 x 8 = 32
  • 5 rows = 40 squares → 5 x 8 = 40
  • 6 rows = 48 squares → 6 x 8 = 48
  • 7 rows = 56 squares → 7 x 8 = 56
  • 8 rows = 64 squares → 8 x 8 = 64
  • 9 rows = 72 squares → 9 x 8 = 72
  • 10 rows = 80 squares → 10 x 8 = 80
  • 11 rows = 88 squares → 11 x 8 = 88
  • 12 rows = 96 squares → 12 x 8 = 96

Examples you can see

Chessboard rows and 8 times table Imagine a chessboard in front of you. It has 8 rows, and each row has 8 squares. Let’s try some examples:
  1. How many squares are in 1 row? 1 x 8 = 8 squares
  2. How many squares are in 2 rows? 2 x 8 = 16 squares
  3. How many squares are in 3 rows? 3 x 8 = 24 squares
  4. How many squares are in 4 rows? 4 x 8 = 32 squares
  5. How many squares are in 5 rows? 5 x 8 = 40 squares
  6. How many squares are in 6 rows? 6 x 8 = 48 squares
  7. How many squares are in 7 rows? 7 x 8 = 56 squares
  8. How many squares are in 8 rows? 8 x 8 = 64 squares
Real-life examples
  • You have 4 chess sets. Each set has 8 rows. How many rows do you have in total? 4 x 8 = 32 rows
  • A chess player has 7 chessboards. Each chessboard has 8 rows. How many rows are there? 7 x 8 = 56 rows
  • You are building a pattern with 10 rows of 8 blocks. How many blocks do you need? 10 x 8 = 80 blocks

Try it as a mini adventure

Chessboard Challenge: How Many Squares? You are a chess master and you want to count how many squares are in different numbers of rows. You have a chessboard in front of you. Each row has 8 squares.
  1. 1st time: How many squares in 1 row? 1 x 8 = ?
  2. 2nd time: How many squares in 2 rows? 2 x 8 = ?
  3. 3rd time: How many squares in 3 rows? 3 x 8 = ?
  4. 4th time: How many squares in 4 rows? 4 x 8 = ?
  5. 5th time: How many squares in 5 rows? 5 x 8 = ?
  6. 6th time: How many squares in 6 rows? 6 x 8 = ?
  7. 7th time: How many squares in 7 rows? 7 x 8 = ?
  8. 8th time: How many squares in 8 rows? 8 x 8 = ?
  9. 9th time: How many squares in 9 rows? 9 x 8 = ?
  10. 10th time: How many squares in 10 rows? 10 x 8 = ?
  11. 11th time: How many squares in 11 rows? 11 x 8 = ?
  12. 12th time: How many squares in 12 rows? 12 x 8 = ?
Can you fill in the answers?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 8 x 8 = 65
    Why it happens: Mixing up with 7 x 8 = 56
    Fix: Remember that 8 x 8 is 8 groups of 8, so 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 64
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 x 8 = 0
    Why it happens: Thinking it must be 8
    Fix: Zero groups of anything is zero. 0 x 8 = 0
  • Mistake: Confusing 8 x 4 = 32 with 8 x 5 = 40
    Why it happens: Not practicing skip counting
    Fix: Count 8, 16, 24, 32, 40. That’s 8 x 4 = 32 and 8 x 5 = 40

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child learn the 8 times table by:
  • Using a real chessboard or drawing one on paper
  • Counting rows together and saying 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64
  • Playing a game: ask your child to say 8 x 3 = 24 and then count 3 rows on a chessboard
  • Using everyday objects like blocks or toys to show 8 groups
  • Practicing with flashcards or songs about the 8 times table
  • Noticing when your child uses 8 times table in real life, like when they say "I have 5 bags, and each bag has 8 apples" (5 x 8 = 40)
What to say:
  • "Let's count how many squares are in 4 rows"
  • "How many legs do 6 spiders have?" (6 x 8 = 48)
  • "If you have 7 chessboards, how many rows do you have?" (7 x 8 = 56)
What not to worry about:
  • They might make a mistake at first – that's normal
  • They might skip count differently – that's okay
  • They might not know it all at once – that's how learning works

Practice questions

  1. How many squares are in 1 row of a chessboard? Answer: 8
  2. How many squares are in 2 rows? Answer: 16
  3. How many squares are in 3 rows? Answer: 24
  4. How many squares are in 4 rows? Answer: 32
  5. How many squares are in 5 rows? Answer: 40
  6. How many squares are in 6 rows? Answer: 48
  7. How many squares are in 7 rows? Answer: 56
  8. How many squares are in 8 rows? Answer: 64
  9. How many squares are in 9 rows? Answer: 72
  10. How many squares are in 10 rows? Answer: 80
  11. How many squares are in 11 rows? Answer: 88
  12. How many squares are in 12 rows? Answer: 96

FAQ

How can I remember the 8 times table?

Use a chessboard! Count the rows and squares. You can also use skip counting: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96.

Why does 8 x 8 = 64?

Because 8 groups of 8 = 64. Like 8 rows of 8 squares each.

Can I use the 8 times table for other things?

Yes! For example, if you have 6 bags and each bag has 8 toys, you have 6 x 8 = 48 toys.

What if I forget 8 x 7?

Think of 8 x 6 = 48, and add 8 more to get 56.

Is the 8 times table hard?

No! It's just like counting in 8s. Practice makes it easier.

8 times table facts
Number 8 times table
0 0 x 8 = 0
1 1 x 8 = 8
2 2 x 8 = 16
3 3 x 8 = 24
4 4 x 8 = 32
5 5 x 8 = 40
6 6 x 8 = 48
7 7 x 8 = 56
8 8 x 8 = 64
9 9 x 8 = 72
10 10 x 8 = 80
11 11 x 8 = 88
12 12 x 8 = 96