The Four Times Table

The 4 times table has a delightful shortcut hiding inside it: multiplying by 4 is simply doubling twice. Once children are confident with the 2 times table, the 4 times table becomes wonderfully approachable, because every fact can be reached by doubling and then doubling again. This makes it a brilliant table for building fluency and showing children how tables connect.

Fours appear constantly in everyday life, from the legs on tables and chairs to the wheels on a car. Learning the 4 times table well gives children a reliable tool for quick mental arithmetic and prepares them for the trickier 8 times table, which is just double the fours.

Patterns in the four times table

Every answer is even, and the pattern of units digits repeats: 4, 8, 2, 6, 0.
Each answer is double the matching answer in the 2 times table.
The answers rise in steps of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and so on.
Every fourth number you count is a multiple of 4, which links neatly to counting in twos.

Handy tricks

Double, then double again — for 4 x 6, double 6 to get 12, then double 12 to get 24.
Use the 2 times table you already know and simply double the answer.
Group objects into fours, such as the wheels on toy cars, to picture each fact.
Split a hard fact: 4 x 9 = (4 x 10) - 4 = 40 - 4 = 36.

Worked examples

4 x 3 = 12. Break it down: (4 x 2) + 4 = 8 + 4 = 12.
4 x 6 = 24. Break it down: (4 x 5) + 4 = 20 + 4 = 24.
4 x 8 = 32. Break it down: (4 x 7) + 4 = 28 + 4 = 32.
4 x 11 = 44. Break it down: (4 x 10) + 4 = 40 + 4 = 44.

Where you see it in real life

Counting the wheels on a line of cars.
Working out how many legs a group of chairs or tables has.
Buying items in packs of four, such as batteries or bread rolls.
Sharing something equally between four people.

Common mistakes to avoid

Only doubling once and forgetting the second double.
Confusing 4 x 7 with 4 x 8 — practise these neighbouring facts together.
Assuming multiplying by 4 gives an odd number; every answer is even.

Practice questions

4 x 4 = ? (answer: 16)
4 x 7 = ? (answer: 28)
4 x 2 = ? (answer: 8)
4 x 9 = ? (answer: 36)
4 x 5 = ? (answer: 20)
4 x 12 = ? (answer: 48)
4 x 3 = ? (answer: 12)
4 x 8 = ? (answer: 32)
4 x 6 = ? (answer: 24)
4 x 11 = ? (answer: 44)

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to learn the 4 times table?

Double the number, then double your answer. For example, 4 x 7 means double 7 to get 14, then double 14 to get 28.

How does the 4 times table connect to other tables?

It is double the 2 times table and half of the 8 times table, so learning fours helps with both.

Are all answers in the 4 times table even?

Yes. Because 4 is even, every product is also even, ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8.