The Copybook Start practising

Home / Practice / Times tables / 3 times table

Times tables · Year 3

3 times table

Children in England learn the 3 times table in Year 3. Here is the whole table, the patterns that make it easier, practice with the working shown, and worksheets to print.

Practise Print worksheets

The 3 times table

  1. 1 × 3 = 3
  2. 2 × 3 = 6
  3. 3 × 3 = 9
  4. 4 × 3 = 12
  5. 5 × 3 = 15
  6. 6 × 3 = 18
  7. 7 × 3 = 21
  8. 8 × 3 = 24
  9. 9 × 3 = 27
  10. 10 × 3 = 30
  11. 11 × 3 = 33
  12. 12 × 3 = 36

Patterns that help

  • Three lots of a number is double it, then one more: 3 × 7 is 14 + 7 = 21.
  • Add up the digits of any answer and you get 3, 6 or 9: for 3 × 7 = 21, 2 + 1 = 3.
  • The answers go odd, even, odd, even: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18.

Already met: 3 × 2, 3 × 5, 3 × 10. These are in tables learnt before Year 3, just the other way round.

New in this table: 3 × 3, 3 × 4, 3 × 6, 3 × 7, 3 × 8, 3 × 9, 3 × 11, 3 × 12.

Practise the 3 times table

12 questions, mixed up: some multiplying, some missing numbers, some dividing. Nothing is timed. After each one you'll see the answer and a quick way to work it out.

A quick way to every fact

If one won't stick, there's nearly always an easier fact one step away.

  • 3 × 3 = 9 Double 3 then add one more 3: 6 + 3 = 9.
  • 3 × 4 = 12 Double 3 twice: 6, then 12.
  • 3 × 6 = 18 Double 6 then add one more 6: 12 + 6 = 18.
  • 3 × 7 = 21 Double 7 then add one more 7: 14 + 7 = 21.
  • 3 × 8 = 24 Double 8 then add one more 8: 16 + 8 = 24.
  • 3 × 9 = 27 Ten 3s minus one 3: 30 − 3 = 27.
  • 3 × 11 = 33 Eleven 3s is the digit twice: 33.
  • 3 × 12 = 36 Ten 3s plus two 3s: 30 + 6 = 36.

Counting in 3s

Saying the answers in order is the first step. Each one is 3 more than the last.

  1. 0
  2. 3
  3. 6
  4. 9
  5. 12
  6. 15
  7. 18
  8. 21
  9. 24
  10. 27
  11. 30
  12. 33
  13. 36

Division facts for free

Every times table fact gives a division fact too. If you know 3 × 7 = 21, you also know 21 ÷ 3 = 7.

  • 3 ÷ 3 = 1
  • 6 ÷ 3 = 2
  • 9 ÷ 3 = 3
  • 12 ÷ 3 = 4
  • 15 ÷ 3 = 5
  • 18 ÷ 3 = 6
  • 21 ÷ 3 = 7
  • 24 ÷ 3 = 8
  • 27 ÷ 3 = 9
  • 30 ÷ 3 = 10
  • 33 ÷ 3 = 11
  • 36 ÷ 3 = 12

Free 3 times table worksheets

Each one prints on A4 with the answers on a second page. They're the same every time you print them.

Sheet A: In order

1 × to 12 ×, straight through. Start here. 12 questions.

Sheet B: Mixed up

All twelve facts, both ways round, in a jumbled order. 23 questions.

Sheet C: Missing numbers and division

Find the missing number, then divide. The same facts, used backwards. 24 questions.

Questions parents ask

When do children learn the 3 times table?

In Year 3, under the national curriculum in England. The 4 times table is the 2s doubled, and the 8 times table is the 4s doubled, so they follow straight on from the 2s. The national curriculum says Year 3 children connect the 2, 4 and 8 tables through doubling. The 3 times table is the new one this year.

Is the 3 times table in the Year 4 multiplication tables check?

Yes. 1 to 3 questions in every check. The check has 25 questions, with six seconds to answer each one.

How can I help my child learn the 3 times table?

Start with what your child already knows. 3 × 2, 3 × 5, 3 × 10 are in tables learnt before Year 3, just the other way round, so that leaves 8 new facts. Learn one pattern at a time. Three lots of a number is double it, then one more: 3 × 7 is 14 + 7 = 21. Then practise little and often: a set of twelve questions above takes a few minutes, and every answer shows a quick way to work it out.