Multiplication Word Problems

Multiplication Word Problems Worksheets for Grades 3-5

Understanding how to solve multiplication word problems is an important math skill that every student in grades 3-5 must master in order to develop a strong foundational understanding multiplication.

Once students have mastered the procedural skills of multiplication (ex. learning times tables, solving problems like 9 x 7 = 63, etc.) they are ready to extend their understanding to working on multiplication word problems, where students have to apply their skills to real-life situations.

If you are looking to get some extra practice with solving multiplication word problems, this page share a free library of printable multiplication word problems worksheets. Each word problem worksheet can be downloaded as a PDF file that includes a complete answer key. The multiplication word problems worksheets are organized by topic and skill-level, and their are A and B versions of each to ensure that your students will have ample opportunities to practice and learn how to solve multiplication word problems.

🛑 WAIT UP! Would You Like More Topic-Specific Worksheets for Grades 1-8? 🙋‍♀️

Check out our Free Math Worksheets Library, where you will find hundreds of PDF math worksheets with complete answer keys for Grades 1-8!

Multiplication Word Problems

Click on any of the links below to download your free Multiplication Word Problems Worksheets as printable PDF files. Each worksheet includes an answer key on the last page.

Multiplication Word Problems Strategies

If your students are having a hard time with solving any of the multiplication word problems share on the above worksheets, then it may be worth spending some time reviewing some helpful problem-solving strategies that they can use.

1. Know Your Multiplication Facts

Before students even begin to attempt solving multiplication word problems, it is incredibly important that they know their multiplication facts inside and out. Students can use tools like multiplication charts to practice their times tables until they have them memorized.

2. Read the Problem Carefully and Multiple Times

Whenever students are solving multiplication word problems, it is important to read each problem (and the worksheet’s directions) very carefully. Why? Because taking time to read a word problem carefully ensures that you can identify exactly what the question is asking, what the key information and values are, and what the answer to the word problem should look like. If students expect to solve multiplication word problems correctly, then they need to get used to reading each problem carefully every time.

2. Underline/Highlight Key Information

Nested within every multiplication word problem is key information that must be used to solve the problem. So, it can be incredibly helpful to spotlight this key information by either underlining it or using a colored marker to highlight it. While this strategy may seem simple, it can make a huge difference, especially when dealing with complex and wordy multiplication problems.

3. Ask Yourself: What Should the Answer Look Like?

Before you attempt to solve a multiplication word problem, you should always ask yourself: what should the final answer to this problem look like? Every word problem is different, and so the final answer will depend on the problem. By starting off with the end in mind, you are better able to come up with a strategy for for solving the problem correctly.

4. Solve Multiplication Word Problems in Steps

Once you start solving a multiplication word problem, you should always show your work and perform it in steps. Start by writing the key values, then perform any computations, and finally determine your final answer.

5. Check Your Work

Once you solve a multiplication word problem, you should always go back and check your work for mistakes before moving onto the next word problem. If you notice a mistake or if your answer doesn’t make sense, go back and work through the problem again.

6. Practice-Practice-Practice

The best strategy for getting better at multiplication word problems is to give yourself lots of practice opportunities. The more multiplication word problems that you work through, the better at solving them you will become. The worksheets shared in the library above are an awesome resource for giving yourself countless practice opportunities with multiplication word problems, so be sure to try a few of them on your own and then compare your answers with the answer keys to assess your progress. If you are still struggling, go back and work through each worksheet a second time.