Grid Method in Maths Definition

The grid method in maths is a written method that is used to multiply numbers. It involves partitioning numbers according to their place value and then multiplying them together.

At school, the grid method is taught because it makes multiplying numbers easier by breaking them into their separate place values and multiplying them step-by-step.

Some of the benefits of using the multiplication grid method include:

• simplifies the steps to be followed when multiplying numbers;
• easy to understand as it's structured;
• a relatively fast way of multiplication once children understand well in which box each number needs to go.

Examples of Grid Method in Maths

The examples below are step-by-step explanations of how to use the grid method when multiplying. Grid method multiplication questions are usually laid out in a box like the examples below. The amount of rows and columns will vary depending on the numbers you're multiplying. The larger the numbers, the more rows and columns you'll have.

one-digit number by a two-digit number

To solve the multiplication 26 × 5, the following steps are carried out:

• Firstly, partition the 26 into 20 and 6. The 20 goes in the horizontal tens column and the 6 goes in the horizontal ones column.
• The 5 goes in the vertical ones column.
• Next, multiply the 20 by the 5 and write the answer (100) in the box - as seen in the example below.
• Next, multiply the 6 and the 5 and write the answer (30) in the box - as seen in the example below.
• Finally, add the two answers together to complete the calculation.

two-digit number by a two-digit number

The image below shows how to multiply 24 × 23 using the grid method.

The only difference to the method used for the one-digit by a two-digit number is that both numbers have to be partitioned before carrying out any calculations.

To add the numbers, there is the option of mentally calculating the answer or using a more formal method of multiplication (see below).

Children will learn to multiply up to a four-digit by two-digit number during key stage 2 and the grid method can be used to help prepare children for the more formal methods.

The features of the grid method will vary depending on the amount of digits involved in the calculation. The examples below highlight this.

three-digit by one-digit: 234 × 3

four-digit by one-digit: 4638 × 4

three-digit by two-digit: 354 × 46

four-digit by two-digit: 4236 × 23

What Does the National Curriculum in England Say?

The grid method can be introduced in year 3, as this is when children are first required to multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number.

The grid method is not specifically mentioned in the primary maths national curriculum. However, it is a very popular written method, which maths teachers use when introducing their class to multiplications that go beyond the times tables facts.

As year 5 and year 6 pupils learn how to use long multiplication, the grid method is a fantastic tool for preparing year 3 and year 4 children for the trickier methods they will learn to use in upper key stage 2.

Learning about multiplication comes under the ‘Calculation’ strand of the national curriculum for England.

For more information or guidance please see the official national curriculum website: National curriculum in England: mathematics programmes of study

Year 3

Pupils should be taught to:

• write and calculate mathematical statements for multiplication and division using the multiplication tables that they know, including for two-digit numbers times one-digit numbers, using mental and progressing to formal written methods.

Year 4

Pupils should be taught to:

• multiply two-digit and three-digit numbers by a one-digit number using formal written layout.
• solve problems involving multiplying and adding, including using the distributive law to multiply two digit numbers by one digit, integer scaling problems and harder correspondence problems such as n objects are connected to m objects

Year 5

Pupils should be taught to:

• multiply numbers up to 4 digits by a one- or two-digit number using a formal written method, including long multiplication for two-digit numbers.

Year 6

Pupils should be taught to:

• multiply multi-digit numbers up to 4 digits by a two-digit whole number using the formal written method of long multiplication.
• solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Twinkl’s Multiplication (Grid Method) Resources

Multiply 2-Digits by 2-Digits Differentiated Year 5 Maths Activity Sheets

Year 5 Diving into Mastery: Step 2 Multiply a 2-Digit Number by a 2-Digit Number (Area Model) Teaching Pack

Year 5 Maths Practise Key Skills at Home: Multiply a 2-digit Number by a 2-digit Number (Area Model) Activity Sheet

Maths Year 5 Multiplication and Division Lesson Pack 13: Multiply Two-Digit Numbers Using the Area Model

Grid Method Worksheets Multiplication

Teaching Video About the Grid Method