YouTube has become an invaluable resource for learning mathematics. With quality math channels producing thousands of explanatory videos, you can learn concepts from basic arithmetic to multivariate calculus and beyond. I analyzed over 50 top math channels on YouTube and narrowed them down to the absolute best based on popularity, video quality, instructor expertise, and breadth of math topics covered. Whether you are a student struggling with coursework or just curious to expand your mathematical knowledge, these YouTube channels will help you master math.
1. Professor Leonard
With over 663,000 subscribers, Professor Leonard is one of the most popular math channels on YouTube. The channel is run by educator Richard Leonard who has over 30 years of combined teaching and tutoring experience. He provides full video math courses including Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus 1-3, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra and more. The videos are clear, methodical and explained at a pace ideal for students to take notes and work alongside. Professor Leonard displays excellent mastery covering topics that trip many students up like implicit differentiation, integration by parts, Stokes Theorem and more advanced integral calculus. For those looking to deeply understand college-level math, Professor Leonard should be your first stop.
Key Stats:
- 663,000 subscribers
- 75+ full math courses
- 93% like rating on videos
- Uploads 2-3 new videos a week
2. The Organic Chemistry Tutor
Don‘t let the name fool you – The Organic Chemistry Tutor covers way more than just chemistry! The channel is run by educator Mike Christiansen who creates extremely helpful videos breaking down complex math concepts. With over 3 million subscribers, this is one of the fastest growing educational channels on YouTube. The Organic Chemistry Tutor has over 5000 math videos covering nearly every mathematical topic including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus I-III, linear algebra and differential equations. The videos provide clear step-by-step explanations at a pace suited for visual learners. If you have struggled with a particular text-based math lecture, give The Organic Chemistry Tutor a try!
Key Stats:
- 3+ million subscribers
- 5000+ math videos
- 96% like rating on videos
- Uploads 5-10 new videos a week
3. Khan Academy
When it comes to the quantity and quality of free educational content, few can match Khan Academy. The non-profit organization has created over 15,000 videos on topics spanning math, science, economics and more. Salman Khan originally started by tutoring his cousin in math over YouTube which quickly expanded into the learning powerhouse it is today. The math channel features video courses starting from early math foundations like counting, arithmetic and pre-algebra all the way to advanced subjects including multivariable calculus, linear algebra and differential equations. An army of subject experts were brought on board to continue expanding the video catalog. If you have specific weaknesses in math, Khan Academy‘s practice features make it easy to identify gaps and receive targeted recommendations too.
Key Stats:
- Over 15,000 educational videos
- Math courses from early math to post-graduate level
- Available as website and mobile apps
- Non-profit organization with large expert team
4. Eddie Woo
Eddie Woo is an award winning high school math teacher from Sydney, Australia famous for his energetic and engaging teaching style. His main YouTube channel Eddie Woo has over 1 million subscribers where he covers a wide range of high school level math topics like algebra, geometry, trigonometry and early calculus. He has an incredible ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand models that stick with you. Eddie‘s passion and natural charima make math more exciting to learn. In more recent years, Eddie has focused energy toward helping underprivileged students access quality math education. While intended for high school students, adults can certainly benefit from Eddie‘s unique teaching methods as well.
Key Stats:
- 1.2+ million subscribers
- High school math courses
- Won over 10 teaching awards
- Uploads 1 video every 1-2 weeks
5. 3Blue1Brown
3Blue1Brown is a unique YouTube channel created by Grant Sanderson that focuses almost exclusively on advanced mathematical concepts explained through stunning 2D and 3D animations. While Grant will be the first to admit the channel‘s videos alone won‘t make you a math expert, the visually-intuitive explanations he provides build incredible insight into complex math that is lacking in traditional education. Some standout series on the channel dive deep into Calculus, Linear Algebra, Neural Networks, Fourier Transforms and more. The level of visual quality and creativity on 3Blue1Brown is unmatched in math education channels today. If you have struggled conceptually understanding the why behind advanced mathematical ideas, 3BlueBrown provides a perspective that can fill those gaps better than any textbook or lecture could.
Key Stats:
- 2.6+ million subscribers
- Conceptual videos on advanced math topics
- Unique and creative visual explanations
- Uploads 1-2 videos per month
6. NancyPi
NancyPi is run by Nancy Schreiber, a math major from Germany with a brilliant knack for clearly and concisely explaining challenging mathematical ideas. With over 600k subscribers, her channel includes full calculus 1-3 video courses plus shorter explainers on topics ranging from statistics to complex numbers. Nancy keeps each video focused with easy to digest 5-10 minute runtimes optimized for revision rather than introducing concepts from scratch. The tight edit pace may be harder to follow for visual learners. However if you have a textbook or course to accompany, NancyPi perfectly supplements holes in understanding through her mastery building connections across calculus concepts. The channel is still quite new relative to some listed here so I fully expect NancyPi to become more recognized over time as more math students discover her concise video style.
Key Stats:
- 600,000+ subscribers
- Full Calculus 1-3 video courses
- Additional advanced math topics
- Uploads 4-5 videos a week
7. Michel van Biezen
Michel van Biezen is an instructor from Australia who creates helpful videos on physics, chemistry and upper level math courses. His YouTube channel provides full video math courses on Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Probability & Statistics as well as a unique set of math videos covering subjects like Group Theory and Laplace Transforms that are rarely touched on by other YouTube educators. The videos follow along with common curriculum textbooks breaking concepts down at a steady pace ideal for undergraduates. While production quality and visuals are not quite as polished as other channels featured here, Michel makes up for it in the wide breadth of advanced topics covered in fully fleshed out video courses supporting series features like lectures, problems of the day and exam solutions too.
Key Stats:
- 325,000 subscribers
- Numerous advanced math video courses
- Aligns videos with textbooks like Stewart Calculus
- Uploads 3-4 new videos a week
8. Math Doctor Bob
Dr. Robert Ahdoot received his PhD in mathematics from Princeton and runs a tutoring company focusing specifically on the notoriously difficult GRE Quantitative section. His YouTube channel Math Doctor Bob distills the math skills critical for GRE success through easy-to-follow videos on arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis concepts. The focus on mastering foundations while emphasizing shortcuts, model thinking and avoidance of common test-taking mistakes gives a unique approach ideal for those struggling with or intimidated by the quantitative skills required for graduate school admission tests. However, math students of all types can supplement holes in knowledge through Math Doctor Bob‘s library of clearly explained math fundamentals.
Key Stats:
- 261,000 subscribers
- Math videos structured for GRE test preparation
- Taught math courses at UC Berkeley, Stanford and Princeton
- Uploads 1 video every 1-2 weeks
9. Professor Dave Explains
Professor Dave Explains is an entertaining and informative YouTube channel run by microbiology professor David Farina. While not exclusively math-focused, his exceptional ability to clearly break down complex subjects has garnered over 1.8 million subscribers. Professor Dave‘s mathematics videos cover a wide range of courses including algebra, statistics, calculus I-III, differential equations and more. The videos nicely balance strong visuals to retain interest with clear explanations at an unhurried pace ideal for being used alongside textbooks as a resource for concepts you may be struggling with. Given his science background, professor Dave does an especially good job connecting advanced calculus ideas back to physical principles. If you have battled with a specific mathematical concept and need it presented in a refreshingly simple manner, Professor Dave will get you sorted quickly.
Key Stats:
- 1.8+ million subscribers
- Math videos cover a wide range of fundamental courses
- Background as university microbiology professor
- Uploads 3 videos per week
10. patrickJMT
Patrick Jones‘ YouTube channel patrickJMT has been a long-standing resource for stepping through textbook math problems across nearly every subject. With over 1.3 million subscribers and 24 million views annually, patrickJMT clearly offers helpful explanations many students have come to rely on. While presentation and video pacing can feel fairly dry at times, the content itself providing textbook problem walkthroughs with clear workings is extremely beneficial. With over 1800 videos, you can likely find patrickJMT explanations for any concept tripping you up in basic or even advanced high school and college math courses. Supplementing lectures or office hours with targeted patrickJMT videos helping on practice problems you struggle with can provide that extra edge to overcome hurdles in math assignments.
Key Stats:
- 1.3+ million subscribers
- 1800+ math videos aligned to textbooks
- Covers full curriculum from middle school to post-graduate math
- Uploads 2-3 new videos a week
With so many excellent math channels on YouTube, how do you select the right one(s) to meet your learning needs? Here are the most important factors to consider:
Your Current Math Level
The first question to ask yourself – what is my current skill level and what specifically do I want to learn? YouTube hosts math channels across all levels covering fundamental arithmetic to post-graduate concepts. Evaluate channels against your personal goals. For example, Eddie Woo creates high school level math content. So while his teaching style is exceptional, it may be too basic if you are already in university calculus courses.
Video Style and Pacing
People have different optimal learning styles. Some students prefer following textbook readings at their own pace with videos to reinforce ideas they get snagged on. Others learn best through visual explanations or seeing concepts demonstrated to them. Think about whether you want briskly paced videos, full textbook accompanying video courses or animated concept explainers. Channels like NancyPi, Professor Leonard or 3Blue1Brown respectively fit each style.
Catering to Weaknesses
Being strong in math overall doesn‘t guarantee mastery in every concept. We all have weaker areas. Knowing specifically what trips you up like quadratic formula applications or integral substitution methods allows choosing channels mathematically strong where you individually fall short.
Presentation Quality
While great math teaching trumps flashy visuals or editing every time, higher budget channels generally correlate with better communication of ideas to remember. Evaluate both content and presentation to keep you focused.
Instructor Expertise
It goes without saying that mathematics channels with Ph.D mathematicians behind them lend extra credibility. That said some of the very best math instructors hold “only” undergraduate mathematics degrees backed by decades of teaching experience. Value real-world instructional time over headlines when assessing expertise.
The most important takeaway is that no one channel can perfectly satisfy all learning objectives. Many of the channels featured above excel in particular formats or math subjects. Construct your own playlist customized to your goals using multiple channels for the best results. Learning math digitally allows embracing those best positioned to help with your unique growth needs.
The channels above represent outstanding free resources to supplement your mathematical knowledge no matter whether you are currently struggling through algebra prerequisites or looking to brush up on graduate level topology. YouTube enables world-class instruction a click away. Never before has such instantly accessible, high-quality math education existed. Just be sure to implement other effective study techniques alongside watching videos to maximize retention.
Embrace the journey toward math comprehension at your own pace through the treasures offered from these YouTube channels. Quality mathematical fluency unlocks opportunities in disciplines spanning data science, engineering, finance, research and countless others. Give your dream career a boost by committing to expand math abilities each day with these YouTube channels as allies along that path.
