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Formulae and Tables 2025 Edition

The new edition of the Formulae and Tables will support you with your preparation for the 2026 exams.

Explore the all-new red edition of the Formulae and Tables book, updated for the 2026 exams with refreshed mortality tables, revised content, and a modernised format.

We are pleased to announce a new benefit to your IFoA membership: the 2025 red edition of the Formulae and Tables is now available for free as a digital view-only copy in the eShop. A print copy can be purchased in the eShop.

It should be used for April 2026 exams onwards.

Purchased hard copies containing annotations are not permitted for use in your exams.

Key changes

This updated edition includes key changes designed to align with the evolving actuarial profession:

Content modernisation: Several outdated formulae and tables, which have not been widely used in practice, have been removed. The focus is on more relevant, practical content that aligns with current actuarial work.
Updated content: The contents have been updated to fully reflect the evolving syllabus requirements of the profession, with the tables reflecting a more contemporary experience and methods.

See a comprehensive list of all updates, including changes to formulae, tables, and content structure:

Read updates for 2025 edition

A look back: the legacy of the Formulae and Tables book

The IFoA鈥檚 Formulae and Tables book has been an essential companion for actuaries sitting exams for decades. The book has evolved significantly since its earliest version, the 鈥榖rown card鈥�, first published in 1877, through to the iconic 鈥榦range book鈥� in use since 2002.

Over the years, the content has evolved and changed to reflect the needs of each generation of actuaries. Today, the Formulae and Tables book is more than just a tool for candidates, it鈥檚 a reflection of the history and development of the actuarial profession itself.

1877: The brown card: The earliest known exam guide, a stiff piece of brown card containing logarithms and anti-logarithms.
1898: The black and blue book: The first 鈥榩roper鈥� book for life tables, logarithm table and compound interest tables, marking a more formal approach to actuarial work.
1912: The brown embossed book: Additions to this book meant it doubled in size from 39 pages in 1898 to 78 pages in in 1912. There are more interest rates and an additional life table.
1930: The black book: Building on its predecessor, there is an increased range of interest rates and additional life tables.
1952: The navy book: Significantly expanded with life and sickness tables, it reflects the growing complexity of actuarial exams.
1982: The green book: A further 21 pages were added, predominantly in the formulae tables and more interest rates as well as the life tables being updated.
2002: The orange book: The most recent update until now, featuring a comprehensive formula section and marking a shift away from the logarithms of earlier editions.

FAQs

All the details in one place.

Can I use a pre-owned Formulae and Tables book in a closed book exam?

No. All candidates will be able to access an electronic version of the Formulae and Tables鈥�2025 edition through the online exam platform for the April 2026 exam session.

Candidates sitting CM1 and CS1 exams may bring a minimally annotated, but ideally clean copy of the鈥疐ormulae and Tables 2025 edition鈥痠nto their exam room.

When is the 2002 orange Formulae and Tables valid until?

The 2002 edition of the Formulae and Tables is no longer valid for use in IFoA exams.

You must use the 2025 edition for any exams you plan to sit.

When is the 2025 red edition of the Formulae and Tables valid from?

The 2025 edition of the Formulae and Tables will be used for exams in April 2026 onwards.

I studied for an exam using the 2002 orange book and need to resit during 2026. Which Formulae and Tables book should I use?

You must use the 2025 edition of the Formulae and Tables for any resits you need to take from 2026 onwards. You can either use the free view-only digital version or purchase a print copy of the book. Both are available in the eShop.

See detailed schedule of changes from 2002 edition

What changes have been made to the 2025 edition of the Formulae and Tables?

See detailed schedule of changes from 2002 edition

Can I download a digital copy of the 2025 Formulae and Tables?

For the first time, a digital version of the Formulae and Tables has been made available to members. The digital version is view only and cannot be downloaded or annotated.

I am not a member: how do I get a copy?

If you are not an IFoA member, visit the eShop to purchase the digital version for 拢15 or print copy for 拢35. Non-members do not need to register or set up an account to use the eShop.

Get your copy of the new edition

The new 2025 edition of the Formulae and Tables is now available for the 2026 exams, and we鈥檙e excited to offer both print and digital versions. Both versions are available in the eShop. The digital version is free for IFoA members and 拢15 for non-members. The print book can be purchased in the eShop.

The 2002 Formulae and Tables is also included as a member benefit until the end of 2025.