Taking away, finding the difference, and borrowing.
Subtraction finds what is left when one amount is taken away, or the difference between two amounts. 9 − 4 can be solved by counting back four from 9, or by counting up from 4 to 9; with larger numbers, columns are exchanged ("borrowing") when the top digit is smaller.
One error to watch for: subtracting the smaller digit from the larger in every column. For example, 52 − 27 answered as 35 instead of 25.
Subtraction answers two different-feeling questions with the same operation: how many are left after some are taken away, and what is the difference between two amounts. Children usually meet take-away first and find difference harder, because nothing is physically removed.
It is reliably the harder of the two first operations. Counting back is more error-prone than counting on, the language is less consistent, and borrowing across a zero trips up children who handle carrying in addition without difficulty.
Interactive practice with instant feedback — free, ad-free and playable in the browser.
5-7 · memory
Children flip cards to find two numbers that add up to 20, building number bonds and quick addition.
8-10 · escape
Solve a chain of locked maths puzzles to complete a rainforest conservation mission, for ages 8 to 10.
2-4 · arcade
Pop the balloon showing one less within 10 to build early subtraction sense, for ages 2 to 4.
2-4 · builder
Fill the missing box in a part, part, whole bar model to split totals up to 10, for ages 2 to 4.
2-4 · drag-drop
Work out how many teddies are left when some go home, building take away within 10 for ages 2 to 4.
5-7 · puzzle
Add by making ten first: split the second number so 8 plus 5 becomes 8 plus 2 plus 3. For ages 5 to 7.
5-7 · builder
Build every pair of numbers that makes 10, arc by arc, as a number bond rainbow. For ages 5 to 7.
5-7 · memory
Flip cards to match each addition fact to the take away that undoes it, for ages 5 to 7.
5-7 · arcade
Hop back along the track to subtract and tap the number you land on. For ages 5 to 7.
5-7 · quiz
Find the hidden number in equations like 7 plus what equals 12, for ages 5 to 7.
5-7 · puzzle
Two-digit column subtraction with exchanging, written out as a grid to fill. For ages 5 to 7.
5-7 · simulation
Check whether a subtraction answer is right by adding it back. For ages 5 to 7.
Showing 12 of 22. Browse all games
Every worksheet prints as a clean A4 PDF with a separate answer key.
5-7 · match
Match the pairs of numbers that bond to make 20. A Grade 2 number-bonds matching activity with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
5-7 · true-false
Decide whether each addition or subtraction sum is correct. A Grade 1 reasoning worksheet with true/false answers and answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
5-7 · number-line
Show subtraction as backward jumps on a number line. A Grade 1 visual subtraction worksheet with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
5-7 · word-problem
Solve measurement word problems about length, comparing and subtracting amounts. A Grade 2 worksheet with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
8-10 · fill-in
Add and subtract decimals and write the answer. A Grade 4–5 decimal-operations worksheet with five levels and answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
8-10 · multiple-choice
Add and subtract fractions and choose the correct answer from four options. A Grade 4–5 fractions worksheet with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
8-10 · grid
Complete an 8×8 fact grid to practise division facts. A Grade 3–4 division-fluency grid with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
11-12 · word-problem
Solve real-world percentage increase and decrease problems. A Grade 7 percentages worksheet with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
11-12 · number-line
Add and subtract integers using a directed number line from −10 to +10. A Grade 6–7 directed numbers worksheet with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
2-4 · match
Draw a line from each number to the number that is one less. Five levels of printable matching practice with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
2-4 · color-by-number
Take one away from each number, then colour the square by the answer. Five levels of printable colour-by-number subtraction with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
2-4 · fill-in
Split a whole into two parts and write the missing part. Five levels of printable part-part-whole practice with answer keys.
5 levels · PDF + answer key
Showing 12 of 39. Browse all worksheets
Subtraction appears across several grades on this site, with the skills becoming more advanced over time. Jump to a grade page for a broader set of activities at that level.
If subtraction facts are shaky, check addition facts first — they are usually the real gap. A child who knows 8 + 6 = 14 has everything needed for 14 − 6 but may not have realised the two are the same fact.
A number line helps enormously with "difference" questions, where nothing is being removed. When borrowing goes wrong, it is worth watching one problem worked out loud: the error is almost always in the recording rather than the reasoning.
Browse Math by Grade for a full set of age-appropriate activities rather than a single strand.
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