XtraMath is a free nonprofit program that helps children know their math facts by heart: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. A child practises for about 10 minutes a day, answering one fact at a time against a short timer, and the program tracks a fluency score until each operation reaches 100. It started in fall 2007, when David Jeschke, a computer programmer, volunteered at a local elementary school and saw the need for individual math fact practice. It runs at xtramath.org, with nothing to install, and it is free for every family and every student.
How XtraMath works
Each session is short and follows the same shape. A friendly guide called Mr. C, a real National Board Certified teacher, walks the child through the practice. The child sees one math fact at a time, types the answer quickly, and the clock keeps ticking. The program uses a short timer, usually a few seconds per fact, because the goal is recall, not working the answer out slowly. A fact the child answers fast enough counts toward fluency. A fact that is too slow gets tried again later in the same session.
Progress is shown as a fluency score for each operation. The score runs from 0 to 100. Most children start below 30, and finishing a first operation usually takes several weeks of steady daily practice. The child earns trophies at fluency scores of 50, 75, and 100. Every child starts with a grade level program that follows the expected fluency order: addition first, then subtraction, multiplication, and finally division.
Who XtraMath is for
XtraMath is designed for students in grades K to 6, and it also works for older students who need a review of basic facts. It fits children who already understand what addition or multiplication means but cannot yet recall the answers quickly. When facts come quickly, fractions, word problems, and harder math become easier, and the child feels more confident.
Teachers use it as a daily classroom routine with a teacher dashboard and class reports. Parents use it at home, where each child gets their own program matched to their grade and their own four digit PIN to sign in. The program is aligned to Common Core and Texas standards, holds ESSA Tier IV certification, and complies with COPPA and FERPA. XtraMath says it never sells or shares a child’s data.
What is free and what the license adds
XtraMath is free for every family and every student, and the free version is not a stripped down demo. It runs real programs, tracks real progress, and costs nothing. The paid license adds flexibility for families and teachers who want more control.
| Feature | Free | License |
|---|---|---|
| Grade level programs | Yes, five default programs | Yes, plus custom programs |
| Daily practice and fluency score | Yes | Yes |
| Single operation practice | Addition only | Any operation |
| Custom timer speeds | No | Yes |
| Printable activities | No | Yes |
| Expanded reports | Basic | Yes |
As a rough guide, recent listings put the Family plan at about $6 a year for three children, the Teacher plan at about $50 a year for 50 students, and the School plan at about $2 a year per student. Prices can change, so check the official site before paying. The paid app costs about $5.
How to start in three steps
- Create a free account at xtramath.org as a parent or a teacher. Enter the child’s name and grade, which sets the starting program.
- Give the child their four digit PIN. The child signs in with the PIN and starts the daily session.
- Practise daily for about 10 minutes. The program moves the child to the next operation only when the fluency score reaches 100.
Parents can watch the student report, which shows the fluency score, a calendar of practice days, and the trophies and certificates earned.
What XtraMath does not do
XtraMath builds recall and automaticity. It does not teach math concepts. A child should already understand how to solve a basic fact before practising it here, because the program gives no hints, no explanations, and no video lessons. It covers only the four operations, so fractions, geometry, and word problems are not part of it. Some children find the timer stressful, and reviews from children often call it boring and joyless next to a game. That is the trade off: it is one of the most focused free fluency tools available, but it is a drill, not a game.
XtraMath vs Prodigy Math
XtraMath and Prodigy Math both build math fluency, but they feel very different. XtraMath is a ten minute daily drill: one fact at a time, a timer, a fluency score, and no game world. Prodigy Math is a fantasy adventure: a wizard, quests, battles, pets, and rewards, where the math questions are woven into play. A child who needs to nail multiplication tables before a test, and can handle a timer, will usually get faster results from XtraMath. A child who avoids practice altogether will usually do more minutes in Prodigy because it feels like play. Many families use both, XtraMath for the daily ten minutes and Prodigy for longer weekend play. If you want the game side explained, read what Prodigy Math is and who it is for, and for building a daily habit, see the Prodigy daily practice routine.
Frequently asked questions
Is XtraMath free?
Yes. XtraMath is a nonprofit and its program is free for every family and every student. A paid license adds custom programs, printable activities, expanded reports, and priority support.
How do students log in to XtraMath?
Each child gets a four digit PIN from the parent or teacher account. The child goes to xtramath.org, enters the PIN, and starts the daily session. There is nothing to install.
What is the XtraMath fluency score?
The fluency score runs from 0 to 100 for each operation and shows how far the child is toward finishing that operation. A score of 75 in addition means about three quarters of the way there. It is not a grade. Most children start below 30.
What grades is XtraMath for?
Grades K to 6, with the strongest fit in elementary school. Older students who need a review of basic facts can use it too, and programs follow the grade level the parent or teacher sets.
Does XtraMath teach math?
No. It builds recall and automaticity for facts a child already understands. It does not teach concepts, explain strategies, or offer video lessons, and it covers only addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
This site is an independent guide. It is not the official XtraMath or Prodigy site, and it is not affiliated with XtraMath or Prodigy Education.