Master the 3 times table with skip counting and the digital root pattern. Print a reference chart, extended table through 20, or a focused practice drill. Download and print instantly.
The 3 times table introduces students to skip counting by 3 (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18...) and reveals one of multiplication's coolest patterns: the digital root. Add the digits of any multiple of 3 and you'll always get 3, 6, or 9. For example, 3×7 = 21, and 2+1 = 3. This pattern holds for every multiple of 3, no matter how large, and gives students a built-in error-checking tool they can use for the rest of their math education.
The 3s table sits at a natural difficulty level for 2nd and 3rd graders — harder than 1s, 2s, and 10s, but not as challenging as 7s or 8s. Many students find it helpful to learn the 3s right after the 2s because they can use the 2s as a stepping stone: 3×6 is just 2×6 plus one more 6 (12+6 = 18). Our chart makes the skip counting pattern visual, and the practice drill builds speed with randomized 3s problems.