5th grade decimals
5th grade decimals (class 5): a quiz for kids, then every skill in order with lessons, a checklist and a 4-week plan for parents.
🧒 Kids: answer 10 grade 5 decimal questions. Tap Check ✓ after each one!
What 5th grader learn about decimals
In grade 5 (class 5), decimals become part of place value. Children read, write, compare and round decimals to thousandths. They multiply and divide by 10, 100 and 1,000, and use all four operations with decimals to hundredths.
- 5.NBT.A.1: understand that each place is 10 times the place to its right and 1/10 of the place to its left.
- 5.NBT.A.3: read, write and compare decimals to thousandths, including expanded form.
- 5.NBT.A.4: round decimals to any place.
- 5.NBT.B.7: add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals to hundredths, using models and place value.
- 5.NBT.A.2: explain patterns when multiplying and dividing by powers of 10.
The big idea in grade 5
Grade 5 is the year decimals become part of place value. Children see that each place is 10 times the one to its right, on both sides of the point (5.NBT.A.1). They read, write and compare decimals to thousandths, including expanded form (5.NBT.A.3).
Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1,000 shows the pattern clearly: digits move one place for each zero (5.NBT.A.2). Rounding to any place follows (5.NBT.A.4).
Then children calculate. They add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals to hundredths, using models, place value and estimates (5.NBT.B.7). Lining up the points and checking with an estimate are the two habits that matter most.
5th grade decimal skills, in order
Work down the list. Each lesson explains the idea for parents with pictures and has a tool or quiz for your child.
By the end of grade 5, your child should be able to…
- Write 4.307 in words and in expanded form.
- Order 0.5, 0.45 and 0.405 from least to greatest.
- Round 3.476 to the nearest tenth and hundredth.
- Work out 6.4 − 0.38 with the points lined up.
- Explain why 2.5 × 10 = 25.
- Work out 1.25 × 4 and 7.2 ÷ 3, and check each with an estimate.
Unsure where your child is? The decimal levels page has a short test for every step from tenths to dividing decimals.
A 4-week plan for 5th grade decimals
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Place value to thousandths; reading, writing and expanded form |
| Week 2 | Comparing, ordering and rounding decimals |
| Week 3 | Adding and subtracting decimals; × and ÷ by 10, 100 and 1,000 |
| Week 4 | Multiplying and dividing decimals; estimating and word problems |
Add 5 minutes a day with the decimal practice tool. Check answers with the decimal calculator, and use the place value chart whenever a picture helps.
More for grade 5
All 5th grade math · CBSE class 5 maths parent guide · 5th grade fractions · Decimals quiz for every grade · Decimals for kids
What to say to your child
A short script for teaching it the first time. Pause after each line and let your child do the next step.
- “What is the 7 worth in 2.375?” (7 hundredths.)
- “Which is bigger, 0.5 or 0.405?” (0.5 = 0.500, so 0.5.)
- “Add 3.5 and 1.25. What do we line up?” (The points.) “3.50 + 1.25 = 4.75.”
- “What is 3.45 × 10?” (34.5: every digit moves one place left.)
- “2.34 × 3 is about…?” (6.) “So 7.02 makes sense.”
More worked examples
Example 1: expanded form: 6.248
6 + 0.2 + 0.04 + 0.008.
Example 2: rounding: 4.762 to the nearest tenth
The hundredths digit is 6, so round up: 4.8.
Example 3: multiplying: 1.6 × 3
16 × 3 = 48, and 1.6 has one decimal place, so 4.8.
Practice questions (answers below)
Ask these out loud or write them down. Check each answer, and ask “how did you get that?” for one or two.
- Write “three and twelve thousandths”
- Order: 0.6, 0.06, 0.66
- Round 5.68 to the nearest tenth
- 4.75 + 2.6
- 9 − 3.45
- 0.82 × 100
- 45.6 ÷ 10
- 2.5 × 4
- 8.4 ÷ 4
- Stretch: 0.3 × 0.2
Show the answers
- 3.012
- 0.06, 0.6, 0.66
- 5.7
- 7.35
- 5.55
- 82
- 4.56
- 10
- 2.1
- 0.06
Common mistakes
How to teach it at home
Five minutes a day
Short daily practice beats long weekend sessions.
Use money
Prices, change and pocket money make tenths and hundredths real.
Measure things
Heights in metres, weights in kilograms and race times are all decimals.
By grade
- Before: 4th grade decimals
- After: 6th grade decimals
Not sure where to start?
The free 5th grade math check-up tests every grade 5 topic in 18–22 minutes. It shows which topics are solid and which lesson to start with.
Worksheets and practice
Rounding decimals worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key.
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
What decimals should a 5th grader know?
Place value to thousandths, reading and writing decimals, and comparing and rounding. They also need × and ÷ by 10, 100 and 1,000, and all four operations with decimals to hundredths.
Do 5th graders divide by decimals?
Yes, in simple cases with models, such as 2.4 ÷ 0.4. The full standard method for dividing by a decimal is a grade 6 skill.
Is there a 5th grade decimals quiz?
Yes. The quiz at the top of this page has 10 mixed grade 5 decimal questions. Each one is marked straight away, with a hint for every mistake. Play again for a fresh set, or try the decimals quiz for every grade.
What is class 5 decimals?
Class 5 in India and grade 5 in the US cover very similar decimal skills. This page lists them in order, starting with thousandths, reading and writing decimals, ordering decimals.
How much decimal practice does a 5th grader need?
About 10 minutes a day: 5 minutes on the current skill with the practice tool and 5 minutes of mixed review. Short daily practice works better than long weekly sessions.