X Tables
Times Tables

8 times table skip-counting practice

Count forwards and backwards in 8s with number lines, movement games and call-and-response practice.

Quick answer

Skip-counting in 8s means counting by eights: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, and so on. You can count forwards and backwards in 8s to learn the 8 times table.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count forwards and backwards in 8s and use skip-counting to help you learn the 8 times table. Success signs:
  • You can count from 0 to 104 by eights
  • You can count backwards from 120 to 0 in eights
  • You can say the 8 times table facts from 0 x 8 to 12 x 8
  • You can use skip-counting to solve simple multiplication problems

Why this matters

Skip-counting in 8s helps you learn the 8 times table more easily. It's like a secret code that makes numbers easier to remember. When you know how to count in 8s, you can quickly figure out answers to 8 x 3, 8 x 7, or 8 x 12 without having to add 8 over and over again. This skill is useful for:
  • Shopping when you're buying items in groups of 8
  • Playing board games that use dice or counting in groups
  • Learning to tell time when the minute hand moves in 8-minute jumps
  • Building with LEGO or blocks in sets of 8
  • Doing your maths homework faster

How it works

Skip-counting means jumping from one number to the next by adding the same number each time. To count in 8s:
  1. Start at 0 or 8
  2. Add 8 to the last number
  3. Keep adding 8 to get the next number
  4. Repeat until you reach your target
You can count forwards or backwards:
  • Forwards: 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104
  • Backwards: 104, 96, 88, 80, 72, 64, 56, 48, 40, 32, 24, 16, 8, 0

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you have a collection of 8-sided dice. Each die has 8 faces. If you roll 3 dice, how many faces are there in total?
  • First die: 8 faces
  • Second die: 8 more faces = 16 faces
  • Third die: 8 more faces = 24 faces
So, 3 dice have 24 faces. This is the same as 3 x 8 = 24. You can also think of it as skip-counting:
  • 1 x 8 = 8
  • 2 x 8 = 16
  • 3 x 8 = 24
Real-world example: Imagine you're at a party and you want to make 8 cupcakes for each of 5 friends. How many cupcakes do you need?
  • 1 friend: 8 cupcakes
  • 2 friends: 16 cupcakes
  • 3 friends: 24 cupcakes
  • 4 friends: 32 cupcakes
  • 5 friends: 40 cupcakes
You need 40 cupcakes. That's 5 x 8 = 40.

Try it as a mini adventure

The Great 8s Treasure Hunt You are on a treasure hunt and need to find the secret code to open a chest. The chest only opens when you count in 8s correctly!
  1. Start at 0
  2. Count forwards in 8s to find the first clue: 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96
  3. Now count backwards from 96 to find the second clue: 96, 88, 80, 72, 64, 56, 48, 40, 32, 24, 16, 8, 0
  4. Finally, find the treasure by counting 8s from 16 to 96: 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96
This adventure helps you practice skip-counting and makes learning the 8 times table fun!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Skipping numbers when counting in 8s
    Why it happens: Kids get excited and forget to add 8 each time
    Fix: Use your fingers or count on a number line to keep track
  • Mistake: Counting backwards and getting confused
    Why it happens: Not knowing which number comes before the next one
    Fix: Practice counting forwards first, then backwards
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 x 8 = 0
    Why it happens: Thinking that you can't have zero groups
    Fix: Remember that zero groups means zero items

Parent and carer guide

Learning the 8 times table is easier when you practice it in fun ways. Here's how you can help:
  • Count in 8s together while walking or driving
  • Use objects like blocks or toys to make groups of 8
  • Play a game where you count forwards and backwards
  • Use songs or rhymes to remember the 8 times table
  • Ask your child to teach you the 8 times table
  • Use real-life examples like shopping or cooking
Five minutes of practice:
  • Count forwards in 8s from 0 to 96
  • Count backwards in 8s from 104 to 0
  • Ask your child to say 8 x 7 and 8 x 9
  • Use 8-sided dice or objects to show groups of 8
  • Make up a story about 8s to help remember

Practice questions

  1. What comes next in this sequence: 8, 16, 24, 32, ?
  2. Count backwards from 80 in 8s: 80, ?, ?, ?, ?
  3. What is 6 x 8?
  4. What is 11 x 8?
  5. Count forwards from 0 to 104 in 8s
Answers:
  1. 40
  2. 72, 64, 56, 48
  3. 48
  4. 88
  5. 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104

FAQ

What is skip-counting?

Skip-counting is counting by the same number each time. For example, counting in 8s means adding 8 each time: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and so on.

Why is skip-counting useful?

Skip-counting helps you learn multiplication facts faster. It's like a shortcut to learning the times table. When you know how to count in 8s, you can quickly solve 8 x 4 or 8 x 9.

How can I practice skip-counting?

You can practice by counting forwards and backwards in 8s. Use your fingers, draw number lines, or use objects like blocks or counters to make groups of 8.

What is the 8 times table?

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

How can I remember the 8 times table?

Practice skip-counting in 8s, use songs or rhymes, and play games. You can also use patterns, like the fact that 8 x 2 is double 8 x 1, and 8 x 4 is double 8 x 2.

8 times table facts

Complete 8 times table facts from 0 to 12
Number 8 times table Answer
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