Soroban: read, set and add on the beads
For parents of children starting soroban, or curious about it. Tap the beads to show a number, read a number from the beads, and add and take away the way abacus classes teach. Free, no sign-up.
How to use it with your child
- Try the soroban on this page first: tap a bead to move it to the beam. A bead touching the beam counts; the one above is worth 5, each one below is worth 1.
- Choose Read (say the number shown), Set (move the beads to show a number) or Add and take away (set a number, then add, then take away, on the beads).
- Tap Start on this device. On the beads, tap Check when they are ready; a wrong step can be fixed straight away.
- Print sheet gives soroban pictures: read them, or colour the beads for the number, with an answer page.
Which school years it suits
From Year 1 (P1, 小1, 초1) for reading and setting 1-digit numbers; Years 2–4 for 2- and 3-digit adding and taking away.
How the beads count
Each rod is one place: ones on the right, then tens, then hundreds. The dot on the beam marks the ones rod. Push the top bead down to the beam for 5; push bottom beads up to the beam for 1 each. So 7 on a rod is the top bead down and two bottom beads up.
When the beads feel easy, try flash mental maths: children who practise the soroban often picture the beads to add in their head (暗算).
Ready-made links
- Read 1-digit numbers on the beads
- Set 2-digit numbers
- Add and take away, 1 digit
- Add and take away, 2 digits, 5 questions
Questions parents ask
Is this the same as a real soroban?
It has the same layout as the 1/4 soroban used in schools and classes in Japan: one bead above the beam and four below on each rod. Moving real beads with fingers is still the best way to learn; this is for practice at home and for checking.
Does it teach the finger moves?
No. The page checks that the beads show the right number after each step; how to move the fingers is best learnt from a teacher or class.