A few years ago, a worried parent named Radhika walked into one of our online counseling sessions. Her 7-year-old son, Aarav, struggled with math. Numbers confused him; his speed was slow, and he avoided even the simplest sums. “He gets nervous during every test,” she said. “Is there anything that can help him love math?”
We suggested something ancient yet powerful, Abacus Math. Just three months into learning with our abacus classes, Aarav wasn’t just solving sums faster—he was smiling while doing them. His confidence soared, his fear disappeared, and most importantly, he started enjoying math.
You might wonder, What is so special about Abacus Math? Why are thousands of schools worldwide bringing it back into classrooms? Why do experts say it’s not just about speed, but also brain development?
In this blog, we’ll take you through a complete journey from the origin of the abacus to understanding how abacus math works, its advantages, how it compares to Vedic Math, and why more and more students, parents, and educators are choosing it as a foundational learning tool.
Let’s begin!
What is an Abacus?
Have you ever seen a wooden frame with beads sliding on wires? That’s an abacus—one of the oldest tools used for learning math.
The origin of the abacus goes way back—around 3000–5000 years! Ancient merchants and traders in countries like China, Egypt, and Mesopotamia used it to do quick math. Even before calculators and computers, the abacus helped people count, add, subtract, and multiply faster.
There are different types of abacuses used around the world:
- Chinese Abacus (Suanpan): It has 2 beads on top and 5 on the bottom.
- Japanese Abacus (Soroban): More commonly used in modern learning—it has 1 bead on top and 4 on the bottom, making it simpler and faster.
- Russian Abacus (Schoty): A different kind with 10 beads per row, often used horizontally.
At Vedic Math School, we use a Japanese-style abacus in our virtual classes because it’s easy to learn for students.
What is Abacus Math?
Abacus math is a way of doing calculations using an abacus tool, not with pen, paper, or a calculator. As students learn, they begin to picture the abacus in their minds, which lets them solve math problems without even touching the tool. This is called a mental abacus.
So when we say Abacus Maths, we don’t just mean using the tool. We mean building a math brain that can solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division faster, without stress.
Abacus learning starts with finger movements, then gradually trains the mind to “see” the beads and calculate mentally. It’s almost like having a calculator inside your head!
Parts of the Abacus Tool
Each vertical rod on the abacus represents a place value, like ones, tens, hundreds, and so on. The rods are divided into two parts by a horizontal bar in the middle. That bar is called the beam or bar. It separates the beads into two sections: upper beads and lower beads.
- Upper Beads (Heaven Beads): On each rod, there is one bead above the bar, and each of these beads holds a value of 5.
- Lower Beads (Earth Beads): Below the bar, you’ll usually find four beads on each rod. Each lower bead has a value of 1.
- Rod/Column: Each rod stands for a place value — the rightmost rod is ones, next is tens, hundreds, and so on.
- Beads: These are what you move to calculate numbers. When a bead touches the middle bar, it means the value is being counted.
- Start from the Center Rod: When solving, we usually begin from the center or the rightmost rod, depending on the tool’s design.
Now that you know the parts, let’s see how an abacus works using a simple example.
How Does an Abacus Work?
Let’s understand a math problem to understand clearly the functioning of the abacus. Suppose you want to subtract 23 from 45 using an abacus.
- To add a value, we move the beads towards the center bar.
- To remove a value, we move the beads away from the center bar.
Now, let’s solve 45 – 23 together.
Step 1: Set 45 on the Abacus
- Start by setting 4 in the tens rod:
- Move 4 Earth beads up (4 × 10 = 40).
- Now set 5 in the ones rod:
Move the heaven bead down (because it’s worth 5). Your abacus now shows 45.
Step 2: Subtract 23
Now it’s time to subtract 2 tens and 3 ones.
- On the tens rod, subtract 2:
- Move 2 earth beads down (you’re left with 2 beads up → 20).
- On the ones rod, subtract 3:
- Right now, you have the heaven bead (5) touching the bar.
- To subtract 3, we move the heaven bead up (removing 5), and then move 2 earth beads up (which adds 2).
So, 5 – 3 = 2.
Final Result
Your abacus now shows:
2 tens = 20 and 2 ones = 2, so answer = 22
This is just a basic example, but with regular practice, you can perform bigger and faster calculations. The best part? You won’t even need a calculator!
As you learn more, you’ll use the upper bead (value 5) to simplify bigger numbers. For example, instead of moving five lower beads up one by one, you can just push the upper bead down — that’s your quick “5”.
The abacus makes math feel more like a game and less like a burden. And once you practice enough, your brain will start visualizing the abacus even when it’s not in front of you — this is how mental math begins to grow naturally.
Want to try it out? You can use Vedic Math School’s free online abacus tool anytime, from anywhere — no physical kit needed!
Abacus Math vs. Vedic Maths – What’s the Difference?
You might be wondering — if both Abacus and Vedic Math make calculations faster, then how are they different? And more importantly, which one should you or your child learn first? Let me explain it like this.
Abacus Math is like learning to ride a bicycle with training wheels. It gives you a strong start by helping you understand numbers visually and physically using beads. As you move the beads to solve problems, your brain builds speed, focus, and confidence — especially helpful for young children in UKG and above.
On the other hand, Vedic Maths is like learning methods and shortcuts once you’ve already learned the basics. It’s perfect for older students who want to solve complex problems in seconds, without writing anything down. It’s ideal for students in Class 4 and above, and especially useful for those preparing for competitive exams.
While Abacus works best through physical and visual learning, Vedic Maths is all about mental strategies and number patterns. One helps build your base, the other helps you race ahead.
The best part? They don’t compete—they complement each other! Most top math learners start with an Abacus and gradually learn Vedic Maths.
Here’s a table to help you compare the two:
Comparative Table: Abacus Math vs. Vedic Maths
| Feature | Abacus Math | Vedic Maths |
| Ideal Age Group | Pre-primary to high school | Class 4 to college level |
| Learning Method | Visual, tactile (using beads) | Mental, logical (using sutras) |
| Primary Tool | Physical or virtual abacus | Just your brain and pen, and paper, if needed |
| Focus Area | Speed and accuracy in basic operations | Fast solving of complex problems |
| Skills Developed | Concentration, memory, and visualization | Logical thinking, shortcut techniques |
| Topics Covered | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division | Basic operations plus Algebra, square/cube roots, equations, fractions |
| Suited For | Young learners building a math foundation | Students preparing for competitive exams |
| Ease of Learning | Very easy for beginners | Requires some basic math knowledge |
| Technology Use | Often uses virtual tools for practice | Can be learned without digital tools |
| Left vs. Right Brain Use | Engages both the left and right brain | Primarily left-brain (logic and patterns) |
| Speed of Calculation | 4–6x faster than regular methods | 10–15x faster with practice |
| Complementary Use | Builds mental math ability early on | Sharpens that ability in later grades |
So, What Should You Choose?
If your child is just starting with numbers or struggles with basic calculations, Abacus is the perfect place to begin. It will help them gain confidence and love math instead of fearing it.
Once they’ve built a strong base, or if they are older and looking to speed up their competitive exam preparation, Vedic Maths is the next step.
At Vedic Math School, we offer both—starting with Abacus classes for kids and Vedic Math online classes for advanced learners. Together, they form a powerful combination that transforms how you understand and enjoy math.
Advantages of Abacus Math
Thousands of parents choose abacus classes for their kids. Here’s why:
- Faster Calculations: Students become 10x quicker at solving math problems without a calculator.
- Stronger Memory: Abacus learners remember steps better and retain formulas easily.
- Improved Focus: Kids stay more attentive, even in regular school subjects.
- Confidence Boost: Doing mental math quickly gives them a strong sense of achievement.
- Better Academic Results: Studies show that kids learning the abacus perform better not just in math but also in science and logic-based subjects.
In short, abacus math is like exercise for your brain. The more you practice, the sharper and quicker you become!
Who Can Learn Abacus Maths?
You might think an abacus is only for young kids, but the truth is—it’s for everyone! Whether you’re a curious student, a competitive exam aspirant, a teacher, or an adult who just wants to sharpen your brain, abacus math can be your best learning tool.
- Kids (Class 1 onwards): This is the perfect age to start. Children have a natural ability to absorb new skills. Abacus helps them build a strong math foundation, improve number sense, and eliminate fear of numbers. Many kids in our beginner courses learn to solve sums faster than a calculator.
- Competitive Exam Aspirants: Preparing for exams like SSC, Banking, or even CAT? Abacus can make a difference. It trains your mind to calculate mentally with speed and accuracy. This is super helpful when you’re racing against time in tests.
- Teachers: If you’re a teacher who wants to upskill and offer something valuable to your students, learning the abacus can open doors. With Vedic Math School’s Abacus Teacher Training, you can not only master the abacus but also start teaching it confidently.
- Adults: Yes, it’s never too late to learn. Whether you want to keep your brain active, overcome mental fatigue, or just enjoy a fun learning experience, abacus math gives your brain a great workout. It keeps you sharp, focused, and alert.
So, whoever you are, if numbers scare you or excite you, abacus learning is for YOU.
Why Abacus Is Said to Boost Brain Development?
Abacus learning is much more than moving beads—it’s a full brain development program in disguise!
Here’s how it works. When you use the abacus, both your left and right brains get activated. The left brain handles logic and numbers, while the right brain deals with visuals and imagination. When children learn to visualize the abacus in their mind, they’re using both parts of the brain at the same time—this is known as whole-brain development.
A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, found that kids trained in abacus showed better concentration, memory, and listening skills compared to those who weren’t. Another research paper published in the Journal of Neuroscience Education highlights how mental abacus learners show greater brain connectivity and cognitive flexibility.
What’s happening here? When you visualize the bead movements and solve sums mentally, you’re training your brain like a muscle. Over time, this builds:
- Better memory recall
- Stronger focus
- Improved problem-solving
- Faster decision-making
That’s why many educators and child psychologists recommend starting an abacus early—it doesn’t just make math easier, it strengthens the mind for life.
So, the next time someone tells you an abacus is just about beads, let them know it’s actually about building a smarter, sharper brain—one calculation at a time!
Vedic Math School Online Abacus Classes
At Vedic Math School, we believe that learning the abacus should be simple, fun, and result-driven. With over 10+ years of online teaching experience, we’ve helped thousands of students across India and globally discover the magic of abacus math. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to master advanced techniques, we have the perfect course for you.
Abacus for Kids
This course is specially designed for young learners from Class 1 onwards. It introduces children to the world of numbers using a playful and visual method. With our expert-guided lessons, kids learn to perform calculations using the abacus while building strong mental math abilities. Abacus course for kids focuses on making math exciting, boosting confidence, and improving speed from an early age.
Abacus Pro: Beginner to Advanced Classes
Our Abacus Pro course is perfect for students who want to learn abacus from scratch to mastery, this program covers everything from basic operations to advanced calculation strategies. It includes concepts like big friends addition/subtraction, simplifications, multiplication, division, and decimal operations. The step-by-step approach helps learners grow at their own pace, without the burden of predefined levels.
Abacus Expert: Become Abacus Champion
This is our advanced-level program, built for students who already have a foundation in abacus and want to push their skills further. It focuses on mental visualization, solving complex number problems, and achieving lightning-fast calculation speed. Our Abacus Expert Course is great for kids who want to participate in competitions or want to become champions in math!
Abacus Teacher Training
Want to become an abacus teacher and teach students the joy of math? Our Abacus Teacher Training: A course for educators is designed for educators, homemakers, and professionals looking to build a career in teaching the abacus. We cover everything from concept teaching, student handling, virtual demo tips, to certification—empowering you to teach confidently and professionally.
Why Choose Vedic Math School for Learning Abacus?
- 10+ Years of Experience: Trusted by thousands of parents and learners across the globe.
- No Complicated Levels: We don’t believe in dragging students through unnecessary stages; we teach them as per their capacity and curiosity.
- Complete Study Support: From video lessons, topic-wise practice sheets, to quizzes, we provide all the necessary study material.
- Live + Recorded Classes: You can attend live sessions or learn anytime at your convenience with recorded lessons.
- Regular Doubt Sessions: Never stay stuck on any question or problem. Our teachers are just a message away—even on WhatsApp!
- LMS for Parents & Students: Track your or your child’s progress through our easy-to-use Learning Management System that shows their progress.
- Affordable Pricing: We provide quality education at reasonable prices.
- Global Reach: Students from across India and abroad are part of our abacus learning community.
Whether you’re a parent looking for the right course for your child, a student who wants to master mental math, or a teacher wanting to upskill, Vedic Math School’s online abacus courses are created to suit every goal.
Final Thoughts
Abacus Math is much more than just moving beads. It helps you build a smarter, faster, and more confident brain. If you face any difficulties in doing math calculations via traditional methods, you must definitely give it a try. We can guide you on how to learn the basics the right way. Get in touch with us today!
Thank you for reading. I hope this article gave you valuable information on Abacus Math. Keep visiting our website for more such informational blogs.
