The Twelve Times Table

The 12 times table is the grand finale of times table learning in primary school, and mastering it is a real milestone. Twelve, known as a dozen, appears constantly in daily life, from eggs and months to hours on a clock. Because twelve can be broken down in so many ways, this table offers rich opportunities to combine strategies children have already learned.

The clever secret of the 12 times table is that twelve is simply ten plus two. This means every twelves fact can be found by adding a tens fact to a twos fact, turning a seemingly difficult table into a straightforward two-step calculation. Conquering the twelves rounds off a childs multiplication journey with confidence.

Patterns in the twelve times table

Each answer is the matching ten fact plus double the number, so 12 x 6 = 60 + 12 = 72.
Every answer is even, ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8.
The answers rise in steps of 12 each time.
Each twelves answer is double the matching answer in the 6 times table.

Handy tricks

Split into tens and twos: 12 x 7 = (10 x 7) + (2 x 7) = 70 + 14 = 84.
Double the 6 times table — 12 x 8 is double 6 x 8, so double 48 to get 96.
Learn dozen landmarks: 12 x 12 = 144 is worth memorising.
Use the times-ten-and-add-double method for any fact you forget.

Worked examples

12 x 3 = 36. Work out 10 x 3 = 30 and 2 x 3 = 6, then add them: 30 + 6 = 36.
12 x 6 = 72. Work out 10 x 6 = 60 and 2 x 6 = 12, then add them: 60 + 12 = 72.
12 x 8 = 96. Work out 10 x 8 = 80 and 2 x 8 = 16, then add them: 80 + 16 = 96.
12 x 11 = 132. Work out 10 x 11 = 110 and 2 x 11 = 22, then add them: 110 + 22 = 132.

Where you see it in real life

Counting eggs, which come in dozens.
Working with the twelve months of the year.
Reading the twelve hours on a clock face.
Buying items sold by the dozen, such as bread rolls or pencils.

Common mistakes to avoid

Adding only the tens part and forgetting the twos part.
Confusing 12 x 11 (132) with 12 x 12 (144).
Forgetting that every answer is even.

Practice questions

12 x 4 = ? (answer: 48)
12 x 7 = ? (answer: 84)
12 x 2 = ? (answer: 24)
12 x 9 = ? (answer: 108)
12 x 5 = ? (answer: 60)
12 x 12 = ? (answer: 144)
12 x 3 = ? (answer: 36)
12 x 8 = ? (answer: 96)
12 x 6 = ? (answer: 72)
12 x 11 = ? (answer: 132)

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest method for the 12 times table?

Split twelve into ten plus two. Multiply the number by ten and by two, then add the results. For 12 x 6, work out 60 + 12 = 72.

How is the 12 times table linked to the 6 times table?

Twelve is double six, so every answer in the 12 times table is double the matching answer in the 6 times table.

Why is learning the 12 times table useful?

A dozen appears everywhere — eggs, months, hours on a clock — so the twelves table has constant real-life value and completes primary multiplication learning.