Four in a Row Maths Game
Four in a Row Maths is a free strategy game with a maths twist. Every column has its own question: answer it right to drop your counter, then line up four before Robo the computer or a friend does.
Four in a Row Maths
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- Ages
- 6–12
- School years
- Grade 1–Grade 6
- Skills
- Adding and taking away within 20 with strategies such as making 10, Adding and taking away two-digit numbers using tens and ones, Times tables to 12 × 12 and the matching division facts
- Time
- 5–10 minutes a game
- Cost
- Free, no sign-up
- Updated
How to play Four in a Row Maths
- Choose the maths (from adding within 20 up to division and mixed questions), whether to play Robo the computer or a friend on the same device, and how strong Robo should be: Easy, Medium or Hard.
- On your turn, tap a column (or the question on top of it). Its question appears with four answers. Answer it right and your counter drops into that column.
- If the answer is wrong, the game shows how to work it out and the turn passes. Robo answers questions too, and sometimes gets them wrong!
- Get four of your counters in a line across, up and down, or from corner to corner to win. Keyboard players can use ← and → to choose a column and keys 1 to 4 to answer.
What your child learns
- Adding and taking away within 20 with strategies such as making 10
- Adding and taking away two-digit numbers using tens and ones
- Times tables to 12 × 12 and the matching division facts
- Multiplying and dividing bigger numbers by splitting them
- Planning ahead: making lines of four and blocking the other player
- Choosing which question to answer, and checking answers
About Four in a Row Maths
Four in a row is a classic strategy game: drop counters into a grid and be the first to make a line of four. This version adds a maths question to every column, so children have to think about the board and the numbers at the same time. The questions are shown on top of the columns before a move, which leads to some lovely decisions: take the easy question, or the column that blocks Robo’s three in a row? A wrong answer is never a dead end. The game shows a short worked method, such as “Make 10 first: 8 + 2 = 10, then add the other 5”, before the turn passes.
Adding within 20 suits Grade 1, and adding and taking away within 20 suits Grade 2. Two-digit adding and taking away is for Grade 3, times tables to 12 × 12 for Grade 4, and division facts for Grade 5. Children in Grade 6 can try mixed questions with bigger numbers, such as 37 × 6 and 84 ÷ 4. Robo the computer can be Easy, Medium or Hard, so the strategy grows with your child, and two players can share one device. There are no timers, so every question can be worked out carefully.
Which level should my child play?
| School year | Suggested level |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Adding within 20 |
| Grade 2 | Add & take away within 20 |
| Grade 3 | Two-digit + and − |
| Grade 4 | Times tables |
| Grade 5 | Division facts |
| Grade 6 | Mixed + − × ÷ |
Move up a level after getting three stars two or three times in a row.
🏆 Leaderboard
Full leaderboard →Play a round to get on the board! Create a free account to save your scores.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play four in a row with maths?
Each column has a maths question on top. On your turn, choose a column and answer its question. A right answer drops your counter into that column; a wrong answer shows how to work it out and the turn passes. The first player with four counters in a line wins.
Can two children play together?
Yes. Choose A friend (2 players) and take turns on the same device. Each player answers the question on the column they choose. You can also play against Robo, a friendly computer player with three levels.
How hard is Robo?
Easy Robo often misses a chance to win or block, so it is good for learning the game. Medium Robo always blocks a line of three. Hard Robo thinks a few moves ahead. Robo also gets some maths questions wrong, just like a real player.
Which maths level should my child choose?
Start with the level for their school year in the table above. If they get nearly every question right, move up a level; if they miss a lot, move down one so the game stays fun.
Is there a time limit?
No. There is no timer on any question, so children can work out each answer at their own pace.
More games you’ll love
All maths games →Add numbers within 10, 20, 100 or 1,000.
Take away within 10, 20, 100 or 1,000.
Practise any times table from 2× to 12×.
Division facts and remainders.
Look, cover and spell words from memory.
Flip cards and find all the matching pairs.
Help your child shine in maths
Practice at home is a great start. Success Tutoring offers personalised tutoring to build skills and confidence.