Add 3: Addition Facts

The add 3 facts, from 3 + 1 to 3 + 12
3 + 1 = 4
3 + 2 = 5
3 + 3 = 6
3 + 4 = 7
3 + 5 = 8
3 + 6 = 9
3 + 7 = 10
3 + 8 = 11
3 + 9 = 12
3 + 10 = 13
3 + 11 = 14
3 + 12 = 15

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Add 3 is where many children first stop counting every step and begin to see small groups of three.

Counting on from 3

Every answer is three more than the number added, and adding 3 three times, 3 + 3 + 3, lands on 9.

Tip for the add 3 facts

Break the 3 into smaller pieces to reach ten: 7 + 3 makes 10 at once, and for 9 + 3, take 1 to make 10 and add the other 2 to get 12.

The 3 hardest facts

3 + 7 = 10
3 + 8 = 11
3 + 9 = 12

These three cross ten. Make 10 first, then add what is left: 3 + 8 is 3 + 7 + 1, which is 11.

Turnaround facts

Swapping the numbers gives the same answer, so each fact below is learned once and used twice.

3 + 1 = 1 + 3 = 4
3 + 2 = 2 + 3 = 5
3 + 4 = 4 + 3 = 7
3 + 5 = 5 + 3 = 8
3 + 6 = 6 + 3 = 9
3 + 7 = 7 + 3 = 10
3 + 8 = 8 + 3 = 11
3 + 9 = 9 + 3 = 12
3 + 10 = 10 + 3 = 13
3 + 11 = 11 + 3 = 14
3 + 12 = 12 + 3 = 15

Play the add 3 facts game

Untimed by default. A missed fact shows its answer and comes back later in the round.

Printable add 3 chart

One US Letter page, clear in black and white.

Download the PDF

Quick quiz: add 3 facts

10 questions, no timer. At the end you see the score, the facts to practice and a sheet you can print.

Questions parents ask

What is the quickest way to learn 3 + 9?

Move 1 from the 3 to the 9 to make 10 + 2 = 12. It is the make-ten move, and it works for every fact that crosses ten.

Should children use fingers for add 3?

Fingers are fine at the start. The goal is to move to picturing the number line and then to knowing the fact, starting the count from the bigger number.