Subtraction Race: a subtraction facts racing game
Answer subtraction facts to speed up your car and beat three computer cars to the flag. A free subtraction race game for any device. Grades 1–3.
🧒 Kids: Answer fast to make your car zoom! Beat the 3 computer cars to the 🏁 flag.
How to play
- Choose the facts and a speed: Easy, Medium or Hard.
- Press Start the race. A subtraction fact appears under the track.
- Type the answer and press Enter (or tap the number pad and Go). Every right answer moves your car forward.
- A wrong answer stalls your engine for a moment and shows the right answer.
- 15 right answers reach the flag. Beat the three computer cars to win!
What your child practices
Quick recall of subtraction facts (Common Core 1.OA.C.6 and 2.OA.B.2). The computer cars keep steady pressure, so children are nudged to use a fast strategy, such as thinking of the addition fact, instead of counting back on their fingers. The results screen lists every missed fact so you know what to practice next.
Which facts to choose
| Setting | Example | Good for | Learn it first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 10 | 9 − 4 | Kindergarten, grade 1 | subtraction within 10 |
| Within 20 | 16 − 7 | Grades 1–2 | subtraction within 20 |
| Crossing 10 | 13 − 8 | Grades 1–2 | the make 10 strategy |
| Counting back | 14 − 3 | Kindergarten, grade 1 | counting back |
| Taking away tens | 64 − 20 | Grades 1–2 | subtracting tens |
Pick the set your child is learning in school right now. If they win easily three times in a row, move to the next row. If they struggle, go back one row or open the lesson for that set and play again after a day or two.
Every answer in these games is 1 or more, so children never meet a “take away more than you have” fact by mistake.
Once your child can finish the race on Medium without stalling, the facts are close to automatic. Check with the 1-minute speed test, then move on to the next set of facts or to 2-digit subtraction.
Tips for parents
- Start on Easy with “Within 10”. Move up a speed when your child wins twice in a row.
- If your child keeps stalling, switch to the untimed subtraction practice trainer for a few days.
- Ask “what plus 8 makes 13?” when a fact is missed. Addition facts are the quickest route to subtraction facts.
- Your best time for each setting is saved on this device. Racing your own best is the real goal.
- Three races a day, about 5 minutes, is plenty.
In the classroom
Put it on the projector and let children call out answers as a class, or have them race on tablets with the same settings and compare finishing times. No logins, and no data leaves the device.
More subtraction games and practice
Games: Subtraction Match · Subtraction Bingo · Make 10 Pop · all subtraction games · addition games · Make 10 Pop · all math games
Print it: subtraction facts worksheet with an answer key, for practice away from the screen.
Practice: subtraction practice trainer · 1-minute subtraction speed test · subtraction quiz · subtraction within 20
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
How do you play Subtraction Race?
Answer subtraction facts to move your car. 15 correct answers reach the finish; beat the three computer cars to win. Wrong answers stall your car briefly.
Which subtraction facts are in the race?
Choose Within 10, Within 20, Crossing 10 (facts like 13 − 8), Counting back 1, 2 or 3, or Taking away tens (like 64 − 20).
Is Subtraction Race free?
Yes. It is free, has no ads inside the game and needs no account.
What grade is this subtraction racing game for?
Grades 1 to 3. Kindergarten children can try Within 10 or Counting back on Easy with a grown-up.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. On phones and tablets a number pad appears below the question.