Read a Soroban
Explore how numbers work
Read or move the beads
Tap or click
What is this activity?
Read the number shown on a Japanese abacus, or soroban. Use the beads and place value to work it out.
Let’s give it a try!
送信中です
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How to play
- Click the green flag to start.
- Count the beads touching the centre bar on each rod.
- Type the number when asked and press Enter.
そろばんを読んでみよう means “Read the soroban”. 設定 means “Settings”. The original prompts and settings remain in Japanese.
For families and teachers
On each rod, an upper bead counts as five and each lower bead as one when it touches the centre bar. Check which place each rod represents.
This English guide uses the original Chicodori Scratch project. Some labels remain in Japanese. You can explore and remix the project on Scratch.