Times Table Test

3 times table

The 3 times table counts in threes: 3, 6, 9, 12… The digits of every answer add up to 3, 6 or 9, which makes it easy to check. Learn it here with seven practice activities, tricks, worked examples and printable sheets.

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The 3 times table

  • 3×1=3
  • 3×2=6
  • 3×3=9
  • 3×4=12
  • 3×5=15
  • 3×6=18
  • 3×7=21
  • 3×8=24
  • 3×9=27
  • 3×10=30
  • 3×11=33
  • 3×12=36
  • 3×13=39
  • 3×14=42
  • 3×15=45
  • 3×16=48
  • 3×17=51
  • 3×18=54
  • 3×19=57
  • 3×20=60

Split 3 into 2 and 1: work out the 2s and the 1s, then add them. Split 3 into 2 and 1. 2 × 7 = 14 and 1 × 7 = 7, so 3 × 7 = 14 + 7 = 21.

Seven ways to practise

Work through the activities from left to right. Each one asks a little more of you, and a tick appears when you finish it. Your progress is saved on this device.

Your progress 0 of 7 done

Tricks for the 3 times table

Pick the trick that clicks for you. Each one is a different way to the same answer.

Check with the digits

Add up the digits of any answer in the 3 times table and you get 3, 6 or 9 (keep adding if the total has two digits). If not, the answer is wrong.

12, 21, 24 all pass the test

Split it: 2 + 1

Split 3 into 2 and 1: work out the 2s and the 1s, then add them.

3 × 7 = 14 + 7 = 21

Use the table before

Know the 2 times table? Add one more lot: 3 × 7 is 2 × 7 plus 7.

14 + 7 = 21

The last digits repeat

Look at the last digit of each answer from 3 × 1 to 3 × 10. The same pattern repeats for the next ten answers, so learn it once.

3, 6, 9, 2, 5, 8, 1, 4, 7, 0

Turn it around

3 × 3 is the same as 3 × 3. If you know the 3 times table, you already know this fact, and the same goes for every table you have learned.

3 × 3 = 3 × 3 = 9

Count in 3s

Each answer is 3 more than the one before, so you can always count on from a fact you know.

3, 6, 9, 12, 15

Worked examples

How each answer is found, step by step.

3 × 6

Split 3 into 2 and 1. 2 × 6 = 12 and 1 × 6 = 6, so 3 × 6 = 12 + 6 = 18.

3 × 6 = 12 + 6 = 18

7 × 3

The order does not matter: 7 × 3 is the same as 3 × 7. Split 3 into 2 and 1. 2 × 7 = 14 and 1 × 7 = 7, so 3 × 7 = 14 + 7 = 21.

7 × 3 = 21

3 × 12

Split 3 into 2 and 1. 2 × 12 = 24 and 1 × 12 = 12, so 3 × 12 = 24 + 12 = 36.

3 × 12 = 24 + 12 = 36

3 × 17

Split 3 into 2 and 1. 2 × 17 = 34 and 1 × 17 = 17, so 3 × 17 = 34 + 17 = 51.

3 × 17 = 34 + 17 = 51

24 ÷ 3

Ask how many 3s make 24. You know 3 × 8 = 24, so the answer is 8.

24 ÷ 3 = 8

3 × ? = 42

Ask how many 3s make 42. Divide to find it: 42 ÷ 3 = 14.

3 × 14 = 42

3 times table word problems

Spotting that a story needs 3 × something is a skill of its own. Work each one out first, then open the answer.

Daily reading

Mia reads 3 pages every day for 4 days. How many pages does she read?

Show the answer
3 × 4 = 12 pages

School trip

Each minibus carries 3 children. How many children can 7 minibuses carry?

Show the answer
3 × 7 = 21 children

Tulip garden

A garden has 9 rows of tulips with 3 tulips in each row. How many tulips are there?

Show the answer
9 × 3 = 27 tulips

Block towers

Each tower is 3 blocks tall. Sam builds 12 towers. How many blocks does he use?

Show the answer
3 × 12 = 36 blocks

Cutting ribbon

A ribbon 45 cm long is cut into pieces that are 3 cm long. How many pieces are there?

Show the answer
45 ÷ 3 = 15 pieces

Rows of chairs

The school hall has 6 rows of chairs with 3 chairs in each row. How many chairs are there?

Show the answer
6 × 3 = 18 chairs

Test yourself: 10 questions with answers

Say each answer out loud before you open it. If you get all ten, try the 60-second test above.

1. What is 3 × 8?
24. Eight lots of 3.
2. What number times 3 makes 15?
5. 15 ÷ 3 = 5.
3. Is 3 × 11 = 34?
No, it is 33. 3 × 10 = 30 is a good place to start, then add one more 3.
4. How many 3s are there in 27?
9. 9 × 3 = 27.
5. What is 3 × 0?
0. No groups of 3 is nothing at all.
6. What is 3 × 15?
45. Ten lots of 3 plus five lots of 3.
7. What is 39 ÷ 3?
13. 3 × 13 = 39.
8. Which is bigger: 3 × 9 or 9 × 4?
9 × 4 = 36. It is bigger than 3 × 9 = 27 by exactly 9.
9. What comes next: 18, 21, 24, …?
27. Counting in 3s, each step adds 3.
10. If 3 × k = 48, what is k?
16. 48 ÷ 3 = 16.

The 3 times table up to 200

Need bigger facts? See the full list of the 3 times table up to any of these numbers.

Times tables sheet generator

Make a sheet with one or more full times tables to learn from, or with gaps to fill in. Print it, save it as a PDF from the print dialog, or download a picture.

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Times tables exam generator

Build a proper test: mix question types, add word problems and a time limit, and print a separate answer key for marking. Every press of New exam gives a fresh paper.

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Questions about the 3 times table

What is the 3 times table?
The 3 times table is the list of answers you get when you multiply 3 by other numbers: 3 × 1 = 3, 3 × 2 = 6, 3 × 3 = 9, 3 × 4 = 12, 3 × 5 = 15, 3 × 6 = 18, 3 × 7 = 21, 3 × 8 = 24, 3 × 9 = 27, 3 × 10 = 30.
What is the trick for the 3 times table?
Split 3 into 2 and 1: work out the 2s and the 1s, then add them. For example: 3 × 7 = 14 + 7 = 21.
What is 3 × 12?
3 × 12 = 36. One way to work it out: 3 × 12 = 24 + 12 = 36.
How can I learn the 3 times table fast?
Learn the pattern first, then practise a little every day. Work through the seven activities on this page in order: fill in the table, shuffle it, match the answers, then race the clock. Five minutes a day is enough for most children to know the 3 times table within a week or two.
Which times table should I learn after the 3s?
A good next step is the 4 times table. Each new table borrows facts you already know, so it gets easier every time.

Learn the other times tables

Every fact you learn here turns up in another table too — 3 × 7 is also in the 7 times table.