4 Times Table — Tips, Tricks & Practice for the Four Times Table

The 4 times table sits in the middle of the doubling chain: it is double the 2s, and the foundation for the 8s. Children who already know their 2 times table well can use the double-double strategy to work out 4 times table facts with confidence.

The 4 Times Table in Full

Patterns in the 4 Times Table

All Products Are Even

Since 4 is even, every product in the table is even. An odd answer is always wrong — a quick self-check children can use during practice.

The Units Digit Cycle

The units digits of the 4 times table follow a repeating five-step cycle:

4, 8, 2, 6, 0, 4, 8, 2, 6, 0, 4, 8

This pattern (4, 8, 2, 6, 0) repeats every five products. Noticing this helps children predict what digit an answer should end in. For example, 4 × 7 is the 7th product — working through the cycle gives a units digit of 8, so the answer ends in 8 (it is 28).

Double the 2 Times Table

The 4 times table is exactly double the 2 times table. This gives children a reliable way to work out any fact:

• 2 × 6 = 12, so 4 × 6 = 12 × 2 = 24
• 2 × 8 = 16, so 4 × 8 = 16 × 2 = 32
• 2 × 9 = 18, so 4 × 9 = 18 × 2 = 36

This is the double-double strategy: double the number once (that gives the 2 times table), then double again (that gives the 4 times table).

Building from the 4s to the 8s

Just as the 4 times table is double the 2s, the 8 times table is double the 4s. This completes the 2 → 4 → 8 doubling chain:

When your child knows the 4s thoroughly, the 8s become the next natural step.

The Tricky Facts

Many of the 4 times table facts are already known from other tables or are straightforward doubles. The ones that tend to need extra attention:

4 × 7 = 28

This is the fact children most often stumble on in the 4 times table. The double-double method works well: double 7 is 14, double 14 is 28. Alternatively, children can think of it as 4 × 7 = (4 × 5) + (4 × 2) = 20 + 8 = 28.

4 × 8 = 32

Another commonly tricky fact. Double 8 is 16, double 16 is 32. The units digit cycle also helps: the 8th product should end in 2, confirming the answer is 32.

Practice Ideas

• Write the 2 times table and the 4 times table side by side so children can see the doubling relationship clearly.
• Practise the double-double strategy verbally: call out a number and have your child double it twice in quick succession.
• Use the units digit cycle (4, 8, 2, 6, 0) as a checking game: give a 4 times table product and ask if it ends in the right digit.
• Build groups of 4 with counters to reinforce the equal-groups structure.
• Use Times Tables Check to practise the 4 times table specifically, then mix it with 2s and 8s to strengthen the doubling chain.

Related Guides

• 2 Times Table — the foundation for the 4s through doubling
• 8 Times Table — double the 4s, completing the doubling chain
• 3 Times Table — another table learned around the same time
• 6 Times Table — double the 3s, a parallel doubling relationship
• Times Tables 1 to 12 — all tables with tips for each
• Multiplication Chart — the full grid with patterns explained
• Times Tables Games — in-person games for practising at home