Learning the 6 Times Table: Tricks and Teaching Tips

Learning times tables is one of those building blocks that opens so many doors in maths. For many children, the early ones (2s, 5s and 10s) come fairly easily. They’re rhythmic,follow neat patterns and pop up often in real life – counting socks, hands, coins and fingers. 

But when children hit the 6 times table, it can feel like the safety net has been taken away.

The 6s are trickier: the numbers are bigger, patterns less obvious and the shortcuts fewer. But that doesn’t mean they have to be scary. With the right approach, the 6 times table can be a brilliant opportunity to stretch your child’s number sense, build connections to other tables and develop understanding.

In this guide, we’ll explore patterns, tricks, memory tools and strategies to make the 6 times table much more approachable. Let’s get started.

How to learn the 6 times table easily

Before you jump into repetition or memory tools and tricks, it’s helpful to introduce the 6 times table in context – as part of a bigger system. To help children learn the 6 times table easily, introduce it as just part of the times tables they already know. One of the best tools for this is the multiplication grid, where children can see how the 6s relate to other numbers. 

Here’s an example of a 1-10 multiplication grid, with the 6s highlighted:

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
3	6	9	12	15	18	21	24	27	30
4	8	12	16	20	24	28	32	36	40
5	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50
6	12	18	24	30	36	42	48	54	60
7	14	21	28	35	42	49	56	63	70
8	16	24	32	40	48	56	64	72	80
9	18	27	36	45	54	63	72	81	90
10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100

 

Grids like these are a great way to show that multiplication facts aren’t random – they’re connected.

Children who are visual learners especially benefit from seeing the 6s in context. Encourage your child to explore: What do they notice? How do the 6s fit in with the 3s? Can they spot the same numbers appearing in different rows? Can they find all the multiples of 6 in a longer grid?

This is especially powerful when combined with activities that encourage active discovery. For instance, you could even turn the grid into a colouring activity, a memory game or a speed challenge. Reinforcing the 6 times table in multiple ways helps ensure it sticks.

If your child is approaching GCSE Maths, feeling totally secure with times tables will help confidence and speed. It’s a core skill that will stand them in good stead throughout secondary education, especially if they choose A Level Maths (and related subjects like Economics or Chemistry). 

Of course, times tables are also essential tools that will stay with your child through university (particularly helpful for courses like Economics or Accounting and Finance) and beyond.

What’s the rule for the 6 times table?

Unfortunately, there’s no magic rule for multiplying by 6, unlike the neat “add a 0” trick we have for 10s. But there are key ideas that help children make sense of what’s going on.

• Firstly, the 6 times table always produces even numbers – because 6 itself is even. This is a great pattern to point out to children who like certainty. If the answer to a 6 multiplication question isn’t even, something’s gone wrong.
• Secondly, 6 is made up of 3 × 2 – which means every multiple of 6 is also a multiple of 3 and 2. This is especially useful if your child already knows their 3 times table. You can say, “If you know 3 × 4 is 12, then just double it – 6 × 4 is 24.” This strategy reinforces what they know and stretches their thinking without overwhelming them.

These “rules” are more like shortcuts to understanding. They help your child feel more secure and capable when facing unfamiliar multiplication problems.

Is there a pattern in the 6 times table?

Yes! And patterns are often the key to making learning ‘click’! Many children find comfort in spotting something repeatable and predictable. The 6 times table has several lovely patterns to explore.

Here are the 6s up to 10:

• 1 × 6 = 6
• 2 × 6 = 12
• 3 × 6 = 18
• 4 × 6 = 24
• 5 × 6 = 30
• 6 × 6 = 36
• 7 × 6 = 42
• 8 × 6 = 48
• 9 × 6 = 54
• 10 × 6 = 60

You might have spotted some patterns yourself. Here are a few to share with your child:

• The ones digits repeat in a cycle: 6, 2, 8, 4, 0, then start again. Neat, right?
• It might be obvious to us, but remember to point out to your child that the difference between each number is always 6. This reinforces the idea of multiplication as repeated addition.
• Each answer is a multiple of 2 and 3 – perfect for making links across other known tables.
• The digit sums (adding the digits together) often give 3, 6 or 9. For example:
  • 1 × 6 = 6 → 6
  • 2 × 6 = 12 → 1 + 2 = 3
  • 3 × 6 = 18 → 1 + 8 = 9
  • Can you spot the odd one out in the list above? Clue: take a look at 8 x 6.

These patterns turn the 6 times table into a logic puzzle rather than a list to memorise. For many children, especially those who enjoy structure and order, this can be a turning point in their confidence.

Once key concepts like times tables stick, children can move on to topics like square numbers and cube numbers with ease.

What’s the trick for multiplication by 6?

When children begin to see the 6 times table connected to what they already know, they feel much more confident. There might not be one universal trick, but there are several useful techniques that make multiplication by 6 quicker and less stressful.

Here are a few handy ones:

• Double the 3s: This is probably the most effective trick. If your child knows 3 × 7 = 21, they can double the answer to get 6 × 7 = 42. It helps reinforce the idea that multiplication builds on known facts.
• Break down into parts (5 + 1): You can think of 6 × a number as 5 × that number plus 1 × that number. This works especially well for mental maths:
  • 6 × 9 = (5 × 9) + (1 × 9) = 45 + 9 = 54
• Use familiar facts: As a similar tip, build on tables they already feel confident with. For example, if they know 5 × 6 = 30, they can find 6 × 6 by adding one more group of 6.
• Turn it into a chant or rhyme: Musical memory is powerful. Clapping, chanting, or singing multiplication facts in rhythm helps them stick. Use 6 times table songs from school, YouTube or create your own together.

These tricks don’t just build speed, they help develop flexible problem-solving. And for many children, that’s the key to moving from memorisation to mastery.

For fun and interactive Maths learning, don’t miss our in-depth reviews of revision websites, including: MathsWatch, Seneca Learning, Physics and Maths Tutor, Maths Genie and Corbett Maths.

What’s the strategy for learning 6 times tables?

The best strategy for learning the 6 times table is a combination of understanding, regular exposure, and playful practice. Children are far more likely to remember facts when they feel involved in the learning process, and when the material feels connected to what they already know.

With this in mind, start by identifying what your child is confident with. If they’ve got their 2s, 3s or 5s in place, you can use those as stepping stones. Remind them that the 6s are not entirely new territory – they’re just the next logical step!

Here are some strategies that work well:

• Use concrete materials: Counters, building blocks, or even spoons and socks! Let your child group them into sets of six and physically count them.
• Group in real life: Make it relevant. Six legs on an insect? Six petals on a flower? Six eggs in a box? When maths shows up in everyday life, it feels more meaningful.
• Skip count in sixes: Use chants and claps: “6, 12, 18, 24…” March around the room or hop as you say each number.
• Connect to other times tables: Ask your child, “What’s 3 × 5? What’s double that?” It encourages reasoning, not just remembering.
• Mix it up: Don’t always go in order. Try 6 × 7, then 6 × 2, then 6 × 9. This helps your child recall facts independently, not just through rhythm.

Children learn best when they feel capable and curious, and these strategies should support both!.

What’s the best way to memorise the times tables?

Memorising times tables takes time, but as we’ve seen, it’s much easier when children understand the patterns and structure behind the numbers. Once that understanding is in place, it’s all about regular, varied exposure.

Here are some memory techniques to try:

• Flashcards: Simple, effective, and easy to tailor to your child’s level. Make your own or use an app like Quizlet.
• Call and response games: You say “6 times 7”, they shout “42!” These quick-fire games are great in the car or on a walk.
• Times table songs: There are so many catchy times table songs, including the 6s. They’re fun and great for auditory learners.
• Draw it out: Use visual organisers like multiplication wheels or bar models. These help children see how the numbers fit together.

Most importantly, keep it positive and pressure-free. Praise effort over speed, and celebrate small wins. A confident child will keep trying, and that’s what builds lasting knowledge.

How do you teach multiplication in 6 easy steps?

Finally, it’s important to note that teaching multiplication doesn’t have to mean diving straight into times tables! In fact, it’s far more effective (and less stressful) to build up your child’s understanding step by step. 

This six-step approach works well across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, and it can be easily adjusted depending on your child’s confidence level, age and learning style. Each step helps children move from concrete ideas to more abstract thinking, laying the foundations for both memory and understanding. And most importantly, it keeps learning fun, approachable, and connected to the real world.

1. Start with repeated addition: Show that 6 × 3 is the same as 6 + 6 + 6. Use real objects to link addition and multiplication.
2. Use concrete materials: Then, group items into sixes. This helps children understand multiplication as ‘equal groups’ rather than abstract numbers.
3. Introduce the multiplication symbol (×): Explain that 6 × 4 means six groups of four. Write it out in different ways to reinforce understanding – building on what you spoke about with household items.
4. Practise skip counting in sixes: Once they’ve understood the concept of multiplication, chant, sing, stomp, clap – whatever keeps your child engaged! Rhythm and movement make learning stick.
5. Build a multiplication grid: Let your child help fill in their own grid. Highlight the 6s (or other times tables) and look for patterns. This boosts both memory and understanding.
6. Apply it to real-life situations: Finally, ask questions like “If there are 6 pencils in each box and you have 4 boxes, how many pencils?” Real-world questions make maths feel relevant.

These steps don’t need to be done all at once. Spread them over a week or revisit them regularly. The goal is to build confidence, not rush. And once your child has confidence with times tables like the 6s, you can repeat the same steps with other times tables like 7s, 8s and 9s!

To help your child at every stage of their Maths journey, we’ve compiled introductions (including key Maths GCSE content, exam boards and their respective difficulty!), as well as guides for Core Maths and A Level Maths students.

Does your child need help with Maths?

At Achieve Learning, we believe every child deserves to feel confident in maths. Whether your child is just getting to grips with the 6 times table or preparing for major milestones like SATs, the 11 Plus or GCSE Maths and English, we’re here to help.

With over 20 years’ experience, our expert 1-to-1 tutors create a supportive, tailored environment that helps children succeed and thrive. Get in touch today to find out more.