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How to learn the 10 times table

Child-friendly steps for learning the 10 times table using place value, tens, money and powers of 10.

Quick answer

Learning the 10 times table is easy because you just add a zero to the number you are multiplying by. For example, 10 × 3 = 30, 10 × 7 = 70, and 10 × 12 = 120. This works because 10 is a power of 10, and multiplying by 10 means you are counting in tens.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know how to multiply any number by 10 and understand why the answer always ends in zero. Success signs:
  • You can say the 10 times table from 0 to 12
  • You can quickly multiply any number by 10
  • You can explain why the answer always ends in zero
  • You can use 10 times table facts to solve problems

Why this matters

The 10 times table is one of the easiest to learn and it helps you understand place value and how numbers grow. It is used in money, measurement, and counting. When you know this table, you can quickly work out things like:
  • How much 10 apples cost if each costs 50p
  • How many metres are in 10 kilometres
  • How many fingers you have if you have 10 hands
Knowing this table also helps you learn other multiplication tables more easily because it builds your understanding of patterns and powers of 10.

How it works

Multiplying by 10 is like counting in tens. You are just making groups of ten. For example:
  • 3 × 10 means 3 groups of 10
  • 5 × 10 means 5 groups of 10
  • 12 × 10 means 12 groups of 10
When you multiply by 10, you move each digit one place to the left and add a zero at the end. This is because of how our number system works – each place is 10 times bigger than the one before it.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples to understand how it works.
Number × 10 Answer
0 × 10 0
1 × 10 10
2 × 10 20
3 × 10 30
4 × 10 40
5 × 10 50
6 × 10 60
7 × 10 70
8 × 10 80
9 × 10 90
10 × 10 100
11 × 10 110
12 × 10 120
You can also think of it as adding a zero:
  • 1 × 10 = 10
  • 4 × 10 = 40
  • 9 × 10 = 90
  • 12 × 10 = 120

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Great Money Hunt You are going on a treasure hunt in the money forest. Each tree in the forest has 10 coins hidden under it. If you find 3 trees, how many coins do you have? You can use your 10 times table to solve this!
  • 1st tree: 10 coins
  • 2nd tree: 10 more coins
  • 3rd tree: 10 more coins
So, 3 × 10 = 30 coins! Let’s go further:
  • How many coins do you have if you find 5 trees?
  • How many coins if you find 12 trees?
You can also try counting how many coins you have if you find 10 trees. What do you notice?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 10 × 10 = 100, but confusing it with 10 + 10 = 20.
    Why it happens: Children mix up multiplication and addition.
    Fix: Remember that multiplication means groups of. 10 × 10 means 10 groups of 10, which is 100.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to add a zero when multiplying by 10.
    Why it happens: Not understanding the place value.
    Fix: Think of it as moving the digits one place to the left and putting a zero at the end.
  • Mistake: Not knowing that 10 × 0 = 0.
    Why it happens: Confusion about zero in multiplication.
    Fix: Any number multiplied by 0 is 0. So 10 × 0 = 0.

Parent and carer guide

Here are 5 simple ways you can help your child learn the 10 times table:
  1. Use real money: Give your child 10 coins and ask them to count how many coins they have in 3 groups of 10.
  2. Count in tens: Practice counting from 10 to 120 by tens. You can use a number line or skip counting songs.
  3. Play a game: Use dice or a spinner to get a number and multiply it by 10. Make it a race to see who gets the most points.
  4. Use everyday items: If you have 4 boxes of 10 pencils, how many pencils do you have? This helps with visualising groups.
  5. Encourage practice: Ask your child to say the 10 times table out loud or write it down. Keep it fun and short.

Practice questions

  1. What is 10 × 5?
  2. What is 10 × 9?
  3. What is 10 × 11?
  4. What is 10 × 0?
  5. What is 10 × 12?
Answers:
  1. 50
  2. 90
  3. 110
  4. 0
  5. 120

FAQ

What is the 10 times table?

The 10 times table shows what happens when you multiply any number by 10. For example, 10 × 1 = 10, 10 × 2 = 20, and so on up to 10 × 12 = 120.

Why does multiplying by 10 add a zero?

Because our number system is based on tens. When you multiply by 10, you are moving each digit one place to the left, and the empty space becomes a zero.

Can I use the 10 times table to help with other tables?

Yes! Knowing the 10 times table helps you understand how numbers grow and can help with learning the 5 times table or even the 100 times table.

Is 10 × 0 = 0?

Yes, any number multiplied by zero is zero. So 10 × 0 = 0.

How can I make learning the 10 times table fun?

You can play games, sing songs, use coins or blocks to count in tens, or even go on a "money hunt" like in the adventure above!