Count by 255 (Skip Counting by 255s)

Count by 255

Here we will show you how to count by 255, discuss counting by 255 patterns, and tell you why knowing how to count by 255 matters. To start off, note that Count by 255 means counting in 255s, or count by two hundred fifty-fives, and it is also called skip counting by 255.

How to count by 255
Normally, we would count by 1 like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., but when we count by 255, we count 255, 510, 765, 1020, and so on.

In other words, to count in intervals of 255 or skip counting by 255, we start with 255 and then add 255 to get the next number, and then continue adding 255 to the previous number to keep counting by 255, like this:

255
255 + 255 = 510
510 + 255 = 765
765 + 255 = 1020
1020 + 255 = 1275
...

You can of course skip count by 255 forever, so it is impossible to make a list of all numbers, but below is a Count by 255 Chart of the first 100 numbers to get you started.

Looking at the chart above, you will see that the first column has the first ten numbers you get when you skip count by 255, the second column has the next ten numbers you get when you skip count by 255, and so forth.

Count by 255 Patterns
We organized the Skip Counting by 255s Chart above in 10 rows and 10 columns so you can easily identify patterns.

Skip counting always creates patterns. Figuring out these patterns may help you if want to count by 255, but don't have the Counting by 255s Chart above. Obviously, one pattern with counting by 255s is that the number increases by 255.

Furthermore, if you look at each row above, each number in the row has the same last digit (ones place). That means that every tenth number has the same last digit.

If you look down the columns, you will see that the last digit (ones place) repeats itself in blocks of 2 over and over. The pattern of the last digit when you count by 255 goes 5, 0 and 5, 0 and so on for as long as you count by 255.

Why Count by 255?
We think that understanding and learning about skip counting by 255 is important, because it teaches you how the arithmetic operations fit together. Below are some examples of what we mean.

When you count by two hundred fifty-five, you are also creating a list of multiples of 255 that you can use in math when you need the least common multiple. 255 times n equals the nth multiple or skip count of 255.

When you skip count by 255, you are also creating a list of numbers that 255 is divisible by. On top of that, skip counting by 255 is the same as making the 255 times table.

Skip Counting
Need to skip count by another number? Enter another number for us to skip count for you.

Count by 256
Here is the next number on our list that we used to skip count.