Learn place value step by step

Learn place value in 8 levels, from tens and ones to millions, lakhs and crores, with a 5-question test for each level.

🧒 Kids: tap Start level ▶ and get 4 of 5 right to pass. Can you reach level 8? 🏆

For parents and teachers ↓

Which level for which grade?

There are 8 levels, from tens and ones to lakhs and crores. Each level has short lessons and a 5-question test; get 4 right to pass. Progress is saved on this device, so your child can come back and carry on.

LevelSkillGrade
1Tens and ones1
2Hundreds, tens and ones2
310 more and 10 less1–2
4Expanded form and number names2–4
5Compare and round2–4
6Regrouping2–4
7Large numbers4–5
8Lakhs and crores4–5 (India)

How to use the levels

  1. Find the starting level. Take the tests from level 1 until your child scores under 4. That is the level to work on.
  2. Learn it. Open the Learn links for that level: each lesson has pictures, a parent script and practice.
  3. Practice for a few days. Use the quizzes on the lesson pages and the place value practice tool.
  4. Retake the test. 4 out of 5 passes the level. Move on to the next one.

Levels 1 and 2 are the ones to take slowly. If a child is unsure what the digits in 47 or 305 mean, every later level will go wrong.

Why the levels are in this order

Each level uses the one before it. Levels 1 and 2 set the idea that each place is a group of 10 of the place to its right. Level 3 uses that to change one digit at a time.

Level 4 writes numbers in different forms, and level 5 compares and rounds them. Level 6 renames numbers, which is the idea behind borrowing and carrying.

Levels 7 and 8 stretch everything to millions, lakhs and crores. A child stuck at a high level usually has a gap lower down, very often with zeros in level 2.

Tools that help with every level

The place value calculator shows the chart, the value of every digit and the number name for any number. It helps with every level, especially for checking homework.

Real objects matter too. Bundles of sticks, coins and base-ten blocks make the first three levels much easier than any screen.

More place value practice

For teachers

The levels work on a projector for a whole-class warm-up. Progress is saved only in each device’s browser, so no login or student data is needed. On shared computers, use Reset my progress at the end of the lesson.

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.

  1. Level 1: 7 tens and 2 ones
  2. Level 2: 6 hundreds, 0 tens, 9 ones
  3. Level 3: 10 less than 403
  4. Level 4: 3,000 + 40 + 5
  5. Level 4: write 2,016 in words
  6. Level 5: round 3,650 to the nearest 1,000
  7. Level 6: 4 hundreds, 13 tens, 2 ones
  8. Level 7: value of 4 in 4,250,000
  9. Level 8: 45,00,000 in words
  10. Stretch: 10 lakh = ? million
Show the answers
  1. 72
  2. 609
  3. 393
  4. 3,045
  5. two thousand sixteen
  6. 4,000
  7. 532
  8. 4,000,000
  9. forty-five lakh
  10. 1

Common mistakes

Skipping levelsJumps to level 7 with shaky basics.Fix: pass levels 1 and 2 first; everything later depends on them.
Retaking without learningRetakes the test again and again.Fix: open the Learn links between tries.
Moving on too fastMoves on after one lucky pass.Fix: pass the test on two different days.

How to teach it at home

Level chart

Print a chart of 8 boxes and colour one each time a level is passed.

Celebrate

A small reward at levels 4 and 8.

Number of the day

Pick one number each day and say its value, its words and 10 more and less.

By grade

Check every topic at once

The free math check-up tests every topic of one grade in 10 to 20 minutes. It shows which topics are solid and where to start practicing. Levels you pass here also appear on your progress page.

More for each grade: Grade 1 math and the CBSE class 1 maths guide; Grade 2 math and the CBSE class 2 maths guide; Grade 3 math and the CBSE class 3 maths guide; Grade 4 math and the CBSE class 4 maths guide; Grade 5 math and the CBSE class 5 maths guide.

Worksheets and practice

Place value worksheet, page 1

Place value worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key. · Make a fresh test

Place value quiz

Last reviewed

Questions parents ask

How do you learn place value step by step?

Start with tens and ones, then hundreds. Next come 10 more and 10 less, expanded form and number names, then comparing, rounding, regrouping and large numbers.

What is the hardest part of place value?

Usually zeros as placeholders in grade 2, and reading large numbers in grade 4. Both are much easier with a place value chart.

How long does it take to learn place value?

It is spread over grades 1 to 5. Most children move through two or three levels a term with short daily practice.

Is progress saved?

Yes, passed levels are saved in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us.

Does it include lakhs and crores?

Yes. Level 8 covers the Indian place value system, Indian commas and converting to millions.