Soroban finger movement — thumb and index finger, and when to use each

It is the very first thing a child starting the soroban should learn. There are only three. Two sums (2+3 and 3+7) show, with diagrams, what gets easier when you follow the rules. Setting the habit at the start saves fixing it later.

There is a set way to move your fingers. You only have to learn it once. Your fingers don’t have to go back and forth over the beads, so your hand doesn’t tire even on long problems. You move beads with the thumb and index finger of your right hand.

Three rules to learn

Try it

What gets easier when you follow the rules? Compare with two sums.

Try ①　2 + 3　(bring down the 5-bead, clear 2)

Try ②　3 + 7　(clear 3, add 1 next door)

The more digits a problem has, the more this adds up. Setting the habit early saves fixing it later.

Sitting and holding a pencil

• Put the soroban in front of your belly button, straight across
• Rest your left hand on the left end so it doesn’t slide
• Keep the pencil held in your middle, ring and little fingers. With thumb and index finger free, you can write right after you finish
• Flick the beads lightly with your fingertips

How to clear back to 0 is shown in “③ Clearing” and in 🎬.

The soroban on this screen moves when you simply trace it with a finger. But when you use a real soroban, use the finger movements above. In "Choose your level", turn on "Use my own soroban" to practice with a real one.