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Bead Buddies
Free abacus lessons for kids: learn the Japanese soroban one flick at a time — watch, copy, then race the clock.
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Learn the abacus
Free step-by-step guides with pictures — for kids, and for the grown-ups helping them.
What is an abacus?A counting frame where beads stand for numbers — and, in practised hands, one of the quickest ways there is to do arithmetic without a calculator.
How to read numbers on an abacusOne rule, one sum: count 5 for the top bead if it touches the beam, then add 1 for each bottom bead touching it.
Little friends: the 5 complementsWhen there is no room for a small number, add 5 and give its little friend back — in one movement.
Big friends: the 10 complementsA rod can only hold 9. When a sum spills over, take off the big friend here and carry a 1 next door.
Multiplication on the abacusMultiplication is lots of little times-table answers, each added onto exactly the right rod.
Abacus for kids: a parent’s guideYou do not need to know the abacus yourself. You need ten minutes a day and a sensible order to learn things in.
Ready?
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Free Play
Tap beads to move them. The number under each rod shows its value.
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Bead rules
- The lonely bead above the bar is worth 5.
- Each bead below the bar is worth 1.
- A bead only counts when it touches the bar.
- Push 1-beads up with your thumb 👍, everything else with your index finger ☝️.