napkin math

noun

The act of performing quick mathematics often as a means of estimation, as if done on the back of a napkin (or in one's head).

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Meanings

nounnapkin math (uncountable)
  1. CanadaUSuncountableThe act of performing quick mathematics often as a means of estimation, as if done on the back of a napkin (or in one's head).

    Based on my napkin math—and keep in mind I am terrible at math—if you made every conscious choice to do right, your highest potential “life grade” is a D once your bad habits are subtracted.

    2018, Levi Lusko, I Declare War: Four Keys to Winning the Battle with Yourself, page 124
Cite this entry
APA

napkin math. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/napkin%20math

MLA

“napkin math.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/napkin%20math. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “napkin math,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/napkin%20math.

Source: napkin math on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.