Best Free Online Math Resources

The Best Free Online Math Resources for Learners of All Ages

Mathematics is one of the most important subjects in school—and often one of the trickiest. Whether you’re a parent helping your child with homework, a teacher searching for engaging practice, or a student looking for extra help, the internet is full of high-quality math resources. Best of all, many of these resources are free and accessible to anyone.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the most prominent free online math resources. Each offers something unique, from interactive practice to full video lessons, problem banks, and even math games. No matter your age or learning style, there’s something here for you.

1. Khan Academy

Best for: Students from elementary school through college prep

Khan Academy is one of the most widely known free learning platforms. Its math section is massive, covering everything from counting to calculus. Students can work through self-paced lessons that include instructional videos, practice problems, and quizzes. The site tracks progress and recommends next steps, which makes it especially useful for independent learners. Teachers and parents can also create accounts to assign lessons and monitor progress.

What sets Khan Academy apart is its clarity of explanation. The videos break down complex topics into digestible pieces, and the practice sections reinforce learning immediately. Whether you’re preparing for a test or reviewing the basics, Khan Academy is a reliable go-to.

2. CK-12 Foundation

Best for: Middle and high school students

CK-12 offers a collection of digital textbooks, simulations, and practice problems that align with school standards. Their “Flexbooks” are customizable online textbooks that cover topics from arithmetic through advanced math. Teachers can adapt the material for their classes, while students can explore interactive lessons independently.

One of CK-12’s standout features is its use of simulations and real-world applications. For instance, algebra concepts may be tied to graphs or scientific data, making the math feel more relevant. If you’re looking for free, customizable content that feels like a complete curriculum, CK-12 is an excellent choice.

3. Desmos

Best for: Middle school, high school, and college students

Desmos started as a free online graphing calculator but has grown into a powerful learning platform. Students can use the calculator to graph functions, explore transformations, and visualize concepts that are hard to grasp on paper. Teachers often use Desmos in classrooms to make algebra and geometry more interactive.

Beyond the calculator, Desmos offers activity collections where students solve challenges in an engaging, game-like environment. For example, activities might involve moving sliders to match a curve or using equations to guide a character through a maze. For visual learners, Desmos makes abstract math come alive.

4. IXL (Free Tier)

Best for: Elementary and middle school practice

IXL is a subscription-based program, but it offers a limited free tier where students can practice a certain number of problems per day without paying. The platform covers a wide range of math topics, from basic counting to algebra and geometry.

The strength of IXL is in its skill-driven practice. Each topic is broken down into small, specific skills, so students can target exactly what they need. While the free version is limited, it can still be a great daily warm-up or review tool.

5. NRICH (University of Cambridge)

Best for: Students who enjoy math puzzles and problem-solving

NRICH, created by the University of Cambridge, provides a wide range of enrichment problems and challenges. These go beyond rote practice, encouraging students to think deeply and develop problem-solving strategies. Problems are often open-ended, with multiple ways to reach an answer.

This resource is especially helpful for students preparing for math contests or those who want to stretch their thinking beyond the standard curriculum. Teachers can also find rich tasks to challenge their students and foster mathematical curiosity.

6. Math Playground

Best for: Elementary school students

Math Playground is exactly what its name suggests—a playground of math games, puzzles, and activities. The site is colorful, kid-friendly, and engaging, making it a favorite for younger learners. Topics range from basic operations to fractions, geometry, and word problems.

The strength of Math Playground lies in gamification. Students solve math problems as part of a game—whether they’re navigating a maze, solving puzzles, or earning points. This makes practice feel less like a chore and more like play.

7. Coolmath Games

Best for: Elementary and middle school students

Coolmath Games is another highly popular site where math meets fun. While not every game involves direct arithmetic, many focus on logic, strategy, and problem-solving skills. Titles like Run, Fireboy and Watergirl, or strategy puzzles help build critical thinking while keeping kids entertained.

Though often used as a break from traditional math work, Coolmath Games has educational value. It’s especially good for students who might resist worksheets but are happy to learn through puzzles and challenges.

8. Open Middle

Best for: Upper elementary, middle, and high school students

Open Middle offers challenging math problems with multiple solution paths. The problems typically have a “closed beginning” (all students start the same way) and a “closed end” (there is a final correct answer), but the middle is open—students can use different strategies to get there.

Teachers love Open Middle because it promotes mathematical reasoning and discussion. Instead of simply plugging in numbers, students must think carefully about structure and efficiency. For students ready to go beyond routine practice, Open Middle is a gold mine.

9. PhET Interactive Simulations

Best for: Middle and high school students, especially visual learners

Created by the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET offers interactive simulations in math and science. Students can experiment with fractions, graphing, probability, and more in a highly visual and hands-on way. For instance, you can pour liquids into containers to visualize ratios or roll dice to see probability distributions unfold.

PhET is excellent for learners who struggle with abstract concepts, since the simulations provide tangible, interactive representations. Teachers can also embed these tools into lessons to make learning more engaging.

10. PatrickJMT (Just Math Tutorials)

Best for: High school and college students

PatrickJMT is a long-running YouTube channel offering thousands of short, straightforward math tutorials. From calculus to linear algebra, Patrick explains step-by-step how to solve common problems.

While less polished than some big platforms, PatrickJMT is direct, practical, and easy to follow. If you need a quick refresher on how to solve a derivative or work with matrices, this resource is perfect.

11. Paul’s Online Math Notes

Best for: High school and college students

Paul’s Online Math Notes is a classic, free resource full of detailed lecture notes, worked examples, and practice problems. The site covers algebra, calculus, differential equations, and more.

What makes Paul’s notes unique is their textbook-like structure but approachable explanations. Students can read through full lessons, print worksheets, and test their understanding. It’s an invaluable free companion for higher-level math courses.

12. Purplemath

Best for: High school algebra students

Purplemath specializes in algebra explanations, offering step-by-step tutorials that walk through tricky topics like factoring, solving equations, and working with functions. The site is designed to support students who may feel stuck or frustrated, providing straightforward language and examples.

Teachers often recommend Purplemath to students who need extra help outside class. Its clear, plain-spoken explanations make it a comforting resource for learners who struggle with algebra anxiety.

13. Math is Fun

Best for: All ages, especially younger learners

Math is Fun is a comprehensive site covering nearly every math topic, from counting to calculus. The explanations are friendly and approachable, often supported by visuals, puzzles, and interactive tools.

The site’s name reflects its mission: to remove the fear from math and present it in a simple, enjoyable way. Parents, homeschoolers, and teachers often recommend it as a gentle introduction to math concepts.

14. Prodigy Math (Free Version)

Best for: Elementary and middle school students

Prodigy Math is a game-based platform where students solve math problems to progress in an online fantasy world. While it offers paid upgrades, the free version still gives students substantial practice across curriculum-aligned skills.

Because it feels like a role-playing game, Prodigy is especially good for reluctant learners who prefer adventure to worksheets. Teachers can assign content and track progress, making it both fun and instructional.

15. Brilliant (Free Daily Problems)

Best for: Older students who enjoy puzzles and logical reasoning

Brilliant.org is mostly a paid platform, but it offers free daily challenges and limited access to its problem library. The problems focus on math, science, and logical reasoning, often requiring creative problem-solving rather than rote memorization.

For students interested in STEM fields or preparing for competitions, Brilliant provides an excellent way to sharpen critical thinking in small, daily doses.

Tips for Using Online Math Resources Effectively

While there are countless free math tools available, the real key is how you use them. Here are a few tips to get the most out of these resources:

• Set goals. Choose a topic or skill you want to master instead of jumping randomly between sites.

• Mix practice and exploration. Use structured platforms like Khan Academy alongside game-based sites like Math Playground to balance rigor and fun.

• Be consistent. A little math practice every day goes further than cramming once a week.

• Use them as supplements. These resources work best when paired with school instruction, not as total replacements.

Thanks to the internet, high-quality math help is no longer locked behind expensive textbooks or tutoring sessions. From the structured lessons of Khan Academy to the playful puzzles of Math Playground, students of all ages can access the support they need—completely free.

Whether you’re brushing up on algebra, teaching a classroom of curious kids, or simply trying to make math more fun at home, these free online math resources offer powerful tools to build confidence, curiosity, and mathematical skill.