How to do long division, step by step

Long division repeats four steps for each digit: divide, multiply, subtract, bring down. For 735 ÷ 6 the answer is 122 remainder 3. This page explains each step, has a tool that works through any long division up to 99,999 ÷ 99, covers zeros in the answer and 2-digit divisors, and the mistakes children make.

The four steps of long division

  1. Divide: how many times does the divisor go into the current number?
  2. Multiply: that answer × the divisor.
  3. Subtract: take it away. The result must be smaller than the divisor.
  4. Bring down the next digit and repeat.

Memory aid: “Does McDonald’s Sell Burgers?” (Divide, Multiply, Subtract, Bring down).

Long division step by step

Try 735 ÷ 6, then something with a zero in the answer like 612 ÷ 6, or a 2-digit divisor like 3,456 ÷ 12.

Worked example: 735 ÷ 6

  1. 7 ÷ 6 = 1. 1 × 6 = 6. 7 − 6 = 1. Bring down 3: 13.
  2. 13 ÷ 6 = 2. 2 × 6 = 12. 13 − 12 = 1. Bring down 5: 15.
  3. 15 ÷ 6 = 2. 2 × 6 = 12. 15 − 12 = 3.
  4. Answer: 122 r 3. Check: 6 × 122 + 3 = 735.

Zeros in the answer

612 ÷ 6: 6 ÷ 6 = 1, bring down 1. 1 ÷ 6 = 0, so write 0 in the answer and bring down 2: 12 ÷ 6 = 2. The answer is 102, not 12. Every digit brought down needs a digit in the answer.

Dividing by a 2-digit number

Estimate each step by rounding the divisor. For 3,456 ÷ 12: 34 ÷ 12 is about 30 ÷ 10 = 3, but 12 × 3 = 36 is too big, so use 2. Writing out the 12 times table (12, 24, 36, 48…) before starting makes every step quicker.

Common mistakes

612 ÷ 6 = 12Skipped the zero in the answer.Fix: each bring-down needs an answer digit, even 0.
Subtracted to a number bigger than the divisorThe step’s quotient was too small.Fix: if what is left is the divisor or more, go up by 1.
Lost place in the columnsDigits drift as the work grows.Fix: use squared paper, one digit per square.
Times tables not fluentEvery step is slow.Fix: practice the divisor’s table first.

How to teach it at home

Write the table first

Before dividing by 7, write 7, 14, 21… down the side.

Real sharing

Split a $135 prize between 4 people: 33 r 3, or $33.75.

Check every answer

Multiply back and add the remainder. Make it a habit.

By grade

Worksheets and practice

Long division worksheet, page 1

Long division worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key. · Make a fresh test

Division with remainders · All division

Last reviewed

Questions parents ask

What are the steps of long division?

Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down, and repeat for each digit. A memory aid is “Does McDonald’s Sell Burgers?”

How do you do long division with a 2-digit divisor?

The same four steps. Estimate each step by rounding the divisor, and write out its multiples first to make it quicker.

What happens when the divisor doesn’t go into a digit?

Write 0 in the answer above that digit and bring down the next one. Forgetting this 0 is the most common long division mistake.

How do you check long division?

Multiply the answer by the divisor and add the remainder. You should get the number you started with.

What grade learns long division?

Grade 4 starts with 1-digit divisors, grade 5 uses 2-digit divisors, and grade 6 is expected to be fluent (6.NS.B.2).