Online soroban
Tap a bead to move it – the number on the abacus appears right above. Your child can play freely, practice setting numbers, or add and subtract on a virtual abacus. Works on a phone, nothing to install.
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The abacus runs entirely in your browser and sends no data anywhere. Settings are saved on your device.
Three ways to use the online soroban
Start with “Free play” so your child gets used to the beads, then move on to “Set a number” and “Calculate”.
Free play
Tap the beads to move them up and down. The number on the abacus shows right away. “Clear (back to 0)” returns every bead to its starting place.
Set a number
A number appears – your child sets it on the abacus. Get it right and the next number comes up. Start with 1 digit, then 2, 3 and 4 digits.
Calculate
Set the first number, then add (or subtract) the second on the beads. Press “Check” to see whether the abacus shows the right answer.
How to read numbers on a soroban
Each rod is one digit. The upper bead is worth 5 and each lower bead is worth 1. A bead only counts when it touches the bar in the middle. So 7 is the upper bead plus 2 lower beads, and 9 is the upper bead plus 4 lower beads.
On this online soroban, the rightmost rod is the ones. The dots on the bar, every 3 rods, help you read large numbers: ones, thousands, millions. To learn more, see What is a soroban? and Learning soroban at home.
4 basics
- Upper bead = 5, each lower bead = 1
- Only beads touching the bar are counted
- The rightmost rod is the ones (on the online soroban)
- Every number has only one way to set it – so children “see” numbers
Frequently asked questions
Can an online soroban replace a real one?
Not completely. Moving real beads with the fingers builds the picture of the abacus in the head – the basis of mental math. The online soroban is good for getting used to the beads, practicing setting numbers, and extra practice when there is no abacus at hand.
Why is the rightmost rod the ones?
On a real soroban, you choose a rod with a dot as the ones. On the online soroban, to keep it simple for children, the rightmost rod is always the ones; the dots every 3 rods help with reading large numbers.
What age can use it?
From about age 5, together with a parent. Start with “Free play” and 1-digit “Set a number”; once your child sets numbers confidently, move on to 2 digits and “Calculate”.
Do I need to register or install anything?
No. The abacus runs in the browser of your phone or computer; settings are saved only on your device.
Learn with a real abacus and Japanese-style teachers
Classes of 3–5 at Vinhomes Gardenia (Hanoi); the teacher watches every finger. Free trial lesson.
