2nd grade subtraction
2nd grade subtraction (class 2): a quiz for kids, then every skill in order with lessons, a checklist and a 4-week plan for parents.
🧒 Kids: answer 10 grade 2 subtraction questions. Tap Check ✓ after each one!
⚡ Subtraction practice 🏆 Subtraction levels 🎮 Subtraction games
What 2nd grader learn about subtraction
In grade 2 (class 2), children become fluent with all the subtraction facts to 20. They use place value to subtract 2-digit numbers, with and without regrouping, and subtract within 1,000 using base-ten blocks and drawings. They take away 10 or 100 in their head and solve one- and two-step word problems with bar models.
- 2.OA.A.1: solve one- and two-step word problems within 100.
- 2.OA.B.2: subtract fluently within 20 using mental strategies.
- 2.NBT.B.5: subtract fluently within 100 using place value and the link to addition.
- 2.NBT.B.7: subtract within 1,000 using models and place value, regrouping when needed.
- 2.NBT.B.8: take away 10 or 100 from a number from 100 to 900 in your head.
- 2.NBT.B.9: explain why subtraction strategies work.
Other grades: Kindergarten · 1st grade · 2nd grade · 3rd grade · 4th grade
The big idea in grade 2
Grade 2 joins fast facts with place value. In 52 − 27 there are not enough ones to take 7 from 2, so one ten is traded for 10 ones. That trade is regrouping, also called borrowing.
Children should trade with base-ten blocks or bundles of sticks before using the written method. Then the crossed-out digit means something: one ten really did become ten ones.
Fact fluency still matters. A child who counts back on fingers inside every column loses track of the bigger problem, so keep a few minutes of daily fact practice.
2nd grade subtraction 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.
| # | Skill (lesson) | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subtraction within 20 | Practice |
| 2 | Subtracting tens and hundreds | Tens number line |
| 3 | 2-digit subtraction | Practice |
| 4 | Regrouping | Column tool |
| 5 | Mental subtraction | Number line tool |
| 6 | Checking with addition | Column tool |
| 7 | 3-digit subtraction | Step-by-step tool |
| 8 | Word problems | Bar model tool |
| 9 | Speed check | Practice |
By the end of grade 2, your child should be able to…
- Know all facts within 20 from memory.
- Subtract 52 − 27 and explain the trade.
- Take away 10 or 100 in their head: 462 − 100.
- Count up for 61 − 48.
- Subtract 3-digit numbers with blocks or drawings.
- Solve a two-step word problem with a bar model.
Unsure where your child is? The subtraction levels page has a short test for every step from taking away to big numbers.
A 4-week plan for 2nd grade subtraction
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Facts to 20 and subtracting tens |
| Week 2 | 2-digit subtraction without regrouping, mental strategies |
| Week 3 | Regrouping with blocks, then the written method |
| Week 4 | 3-digit subtraction with models, checking and word problems |
Add 5 minutes of fact practice every day with the subtraction practice trainer, and a weekly subtraction speed test. Practice the matching addition facts in the same week.
More for grade 2
All 2nd grade math · CBSE class 2 maths parent guide · 2nd grade addition · Subtraction quiz for every grade · Subtraction 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 58 − 23? Tens first.” (58 − 20 = 38, then 38 − 3 = 35.)
- “Now 52 − 27. Can you take 7 ones from 2 ones?” (No, so trade a ten.)
- “What happens to the 5 tens?” (It becomes 4 tens, and the ones become 12.)
- “What is 462 − 100?” (362.)
- “How can you check 52 − 27 = 25?” (25 + 27 = 52.)
More worked examples
Example 1: no regrouping: 68 − 35
Ones: 8 − 5 = 3. Tens: 6 − 3 = 3. Answer 33.
Example 2: regrouping: 63 − 28
Trade a ten: 13 − 8 = 5. Tens: 5 − 2 = 3. Answer 35.
Example 3: count up: 71 − 46
46 to 50 is 4, 50 to 71 is 21. 4 + 21 = 25.
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.
- 17 − 9
- 14 − 6
- 76 − 34
- 52 − 27
- 80 − 36
- 61 − 58
- 745 − 100
- 586 − 253
- A class has 54 children. 26 are girls. How many are boys?
- Raj had 63 stamps, gave away 18, then 10 more. How many now?
Show the answers
- 8
- 8
- 42
- 25
- 44
- 3
- 645
- 333
- 28 boys
- 35 stamps
Common mistakes
How to teach it at home
Five minutes a day
Short daily practice beats long weekend sessions.
Talk it through
Ask “how did you work that out?” for one problem each day.
Use real life
Change from shopping, pages left to read and days until a birthday are all subtraction.
By grade
- Before: 1st grade subtraction
- After: 3rd grade subtraction
Not sure where to start?
The free 2nd grade math check-up tests every grade 2 topic in 15–20 minutes. It shows which topics are solid and which lesson to start with.
Worksheets and practice
2-digit subtraction worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key.
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
What subtraction should a 2nd grader know?
All facts within 20 from memory and 2-digit subtraction with regrouping. Also subtracting within 1,000 with models, and taking away 10 or 100 mentally.
When do kids learn subtraction with regrouping?
Grade 2. Children trade tens for ones within 100, then start regrouping within 1,000 with base-ten blocks.
Is there a 2nd grade subtraction quiz?
Yes. The quiz at the top of this page has 10 mixed grade 2 subtraction questions. Each one is marked straight away, with a hint for every mistake. Play again for a fresh set, or try the subtraction quiz for every grade.
What is class 2 subtraction?
Class 2 in India and grade 2 in the US cover the same subtraction skills. This page lists them in order, starting with subtraction within 20, subtracting tens and hundreds, 2-digit subtraction.
How much subtraction practice does a 2nd grader need?
About 10 minutes a day: 5 minutes of facts with the trainer and 5 minutes on the current skill. Short daily practice works better than long weekly sessions.