About Free Arrays and Equal Groups Worksheets (Grades 2-3)
They give multiplication its meaning. 3 × 4 means "3 groups of 4" or "3 rows of 4", and a child who can see that can work out a fact they have forgotten instead of guessing. Arrays also show why 3 × 4 = 4 × 3: turn the array on its side and the rows become columns.
By the ToolFluency team · Updated October 2026
Free printable arrays and equal groups worksheets for Grades 2 and 3. Children count circles holding the same number of dots, read rows of dots, draw arrays from words like "3 rows of 4", and share dots equally into circles. Grade 2 sheets write the total as repeated addition (4 + 4 + 4 = 12); Grade 3 sheets write it as multiplication (3 × 4 = 12) and division (12 ÷ 3 = 4). Every sheet prints with a filled answer key.
How to use
- Pick the page. Equal groups shows circles with the same number of dots in each. Read the array shows rows of dots. Draw the array gives a sentence like "Draw 3 rows of 4" and a box to draw in. Share equally shows dots to share into empty circles. Mixed review puts a section of each on one page.
- Pick the level. Grade 2 keeps groups and rows to 5 × 5 and asks for repeated addition (CCSS 2.OA.C.4). Grade 3 goes to 6 rows of 10 and asks for the multiplication or division sentence (CCSS 3.OA.A.1-3).
- Choose 6 or 8 problems, or tick Large print for four bigger ones. Untick Print in colour for black-and-white copies.
- Print the worksheet, then the answer key: it shows every answer, the drawn arrays and the shared dots. New problems makes a fresh sheet with the same settings, and Add to workbook puts this page in a printable workbook.
Frequently asked questions
Why teach arrays and equal groups before times tables?
They give multiplication its meaning. 3 × 4 means "3 groups of 4" or "3 rows of 4", and a child who can see that can work out a fact they have forgotten instead of guessing. Arrays also show why 3 × 4 = 4 × 3: turn the array on its side and the rows become columns. Both the Common Core (2.OA.C.4, 3.OA.A.1) and the Ontario Grade 2 and 3 curriculum start multiplication with equal groups and arrays before fact practice.
What is the difference between the Grade 2 and Grade 3 levels?
Grade 2 uses up to 5 groups or rows of up to 5 and asks for repeated addition, such as 4 + 4 + 4 = 12, which is where the Grade 2 standard stops. Grade 3 uses up to 6 groups of up to 9 and arrays up to 6 rows of 10, and asks for the multiplication sentence (3 × 4 = 12) or, when sharing, the division sentence (12 ÷ 3 = 4).
How does sharing equally teach division?
Sharing is the first meaning of division: 12 ÷ 3 asks how many each circle gets when 12 dots are shared fairly into 3 circles. Children can cross off a dot each time they draw one in a circle, going round the circles one at a time. The answer key shows the dots shared out.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. Print answer key prints the same sheet with every answer filled in, the arrays drawn in the boxes and the dots shared into the circles, in red when printing in colour.
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