Abacus Lessons
Twelve short lessons that take you from your first bead to advanced mental calculation. Work through them in order. Your progress is saved on this device.
Stage 1: Beginner
Learn the abacus, show numbers, and add and subtract with small and big friends.
Introduction to the Abacus
Meet the soroban: its frame, rods, beam and beads, and learn how to show any number from 0 to 9.
Abacus Addition
Add single-digit numbers, including the two famous shortcuts: small friends (5) and big friends (10).
Abacus Subtraction
Subtract using direct moves, small friends and big friends – the mirror image of addition.
Understanding Place Value on an Abacus
Use several rods together to show ones, tens, hundreds and thousands.
Stage 2: Intermediate
Mental maths, multiplication, division, and two-digit sums.
Abacus Mental Maths Practice
Start doing abacus sums in your head by picturing the beads – the skill called anzan.
Abacus Multiplication
Multiply a number by a single digit by adding partial products onto the abacus, left to right.
Abacus Division
Divide by a single digit, place by place, and handle remainders with confidence.
Two-Digit Addition
Add two-digit numbers left to right, using small and big friends on each rod.
Two-Digit Subtraction
Subtract two-digit numbers left to right, borrowing from the next rod with big friends.
Stage 3: Advanced
Speed techniques, mental shortcuts, and multi-digit calculations.
Speed Calculation Techniques
Get faster with correct finger technique, fewer movements and smart daily drills.
Mental Maths Tricks
Handy shortcuts for multiplying by 5, 9 and 11, squaring numbers ending in 5, and more.
Advanced Abacus Calculations
Combine every technique: long chains, three-digit numbers, two-digit multipliers and decimals.