X Tables
Times Tables

Is there really a 0 times table?

A clear child-friendly explanation of why the 0 times table is real, why every product is zero and how to model it with empty groups.

Quick answer

Yes, there really is a 0 times table, and every answer in it is zero. When you multiply anything by zero, you get zero. This is because you have zero groups of something, so there is nothing at all.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand that multiplying by zero always gives zero, and you will be able to use this rule in your maths. Success signs:
  • You can say that 5 × 0 = 0
  • You can explain why 0 × 7 = 0
  • You can draw pictures showing zero groups of objects
  • You can use zero in a multiplication problem

Why this matters

Knowing about the zero times table is important because it helps you understand how multiplication works. It also helps you solve more complex problems later. In games, sports, and real life, you will often need to think about what happens when there are no groups of something. For example, if you have zero boxes of crayons, you have zero crayons. This idea is useful in many situations.

How it works

Multiplication is about making equal groups. When you multiply by zero, you are making zero groups. If there are no groups, there is nothing to count. So, no matter how many items are in each group, if there are zero groups, you have zero items in total. Let's think about this step by step:
  1. Think of 3 × 2. This means 3 groups of 2 items each.
  2. Now think of 3 × 0. This means 3 groups of 0 items each.
  3. Each group has no items, so all groups together have no items.
  4. So 3 × 0 = 0
This rule works for any number. No matter how big the number is, if you multiply it by zero, the answer is always zero.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some real examples of the zero times table.
Number × 0 What it means Answer
0 × 0 0 groups of 0 items 0
1 × 0 1 group of 0 items 0
2 × 0 2 groups of 0 items 0
3 × 0 3 groups of 0 items 0
4 × 0 4 groups of 0 items 0
5 × 0 5 groups of 0 items 0
6 × 0 6 groups of 0 items 0
7 × 0 7 groups of 0 items 0
8 × 0 8 groups of 0 items 0
9 × 0 9 groups of 0 items 0
10 × 0 10 groups of 0 items 0
11 × 0 11 groups of 0 items 0
12 × 0 12 groups of 0 items 0
Here are some more ways to imagine this:
  • If you have 0 cakes and you give them to 5 friends, how many cakes do you have? Zero cakes!
  • If you have 0 apples and you split them among 3 people, how many apples does each person get? Zero apples!
  • If you have 0 pencils in your pencil case and you look inside, how many pencils do you see? Zero pencils!

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Zero Kingdom Imagine you are a brave explorer in a magical land called the Zero Kingdom. In this kingdom, everything is about zero! You are given a mission to find the secret treasure. But the treasure is hidden behind a puzzle. The riddle says: “Find the number that, when multiplied by any number, gives zero. What is this number?” You think hard and remember what you learned. The answer is zero! Now, you must go to the treasure room. But the room has many doors. Each door has a multiplication problem. You must solve them to open the doors.
  1. Door 1: 4 × 0 = ?
  2. Door 2: 0 × 9 = ?
  3. Door 3: 11 × 0 = ?
  4. Door 4: 0 × 1 = ?
  5. Door 5: 0 × 0 = ?
All the answers are zero! You open all the doors and find the treasure. Challenge: Can you make up your own riddle about zero?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 0 × 5 = 5
    Why it happens: A child might confuse multiplication with addition and think that 0 + 5 = 5.
    Correct answer: 0 × 5 = 0 because you have zero groups of 5 items.
  • Mistake: Thinking 0 × 0 = 0 because it is confusing.
    Why it happens: It is hard to imagine zero groups of zero items.
    Correct answer: 0 × 0 = 0 because you have zero groups, so there are no items at all.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 0 × 7 = 7 because it looks like 7 + 0 = 7.
    Why it happens: A child might mix up multiplication with addition.
    Correct answer: 0 × 7 = 0 because zero groups of 7 items means no items at all.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child understand the zero times table by:
  • Using everyday examples like "If you have zero boxes of cookies and you split them among 4 people, how many cookies does each person get?"
  • Using objects to show zero groups. For example, put 0 toy cars in 3 boxes and count how many cars there are in total.
  • Repeating the rule: “Zero times any number is always zero.”
  • Practising with simple questions like 0 × 3, 0 × 8, and 0 × 12.
  • Not worrying if they get confused at first. It takes time to understand.
What to say:
  • “Let’s think about what happens when you have zero groups of something.”
  • “Even if each group has 100 items, if there are zero groups, there are zero items in total.”
  • “Zero times anything is always zero.”
What not to worry about:
  • Children might mix up 0 × 5 and 5 + 0 at first. This is normal.
  • It’s okay if they don’t remember all the facts at once.
  • They will learn and remember with practice and repetition.

Practice questions

  1. What is 0 × 6?
  2. What is 0 × 10?
  3. What is 0 × 1?
  4. What is 0 × 15?
  5. What is 0 × 0?
Answers:
  1. 0
  2. 0
  3. 0
  4. 0
  5. 0

FAQ

Why is 0 times anything equal to 0?

Because multiplication is about groups. When you have zero groups, there are no items to count, so the answer is always zero.

Is the 0 times table different from other times tables?

Yes, it is different because every answer is zero. This makes it easy to remember, but it's still important to know.

Can I use the zero times table in real life?

Yes! For example, if you have zero friends and you want to share 10 sweets, each friend gets zero sweets.

Why do we need to learn the 0 times table?

It helps us understand how multiplication works. It also helps us solve more complex problems later, like algebra and equations.

What if I forget the zero times table?

Remember that zero means "none". If you have zero groups, you have zero items. This rule is always true.