Learn subtraction step by step

Learn subtraction in 10 levels, from taking away to 4-digit numbers, with a 5-question test for each level.

Which level for which grade?

There are 10 levels, from taking a few away to subtracting 4-digit numbers and solving word problems. 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.

Grade pages: kindergarten · 1st grade · 2nd grade · 3rd grade · 4th grade

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 tools on the lesson pages and the subtraction trainer.
4. Retake the test. 4 out of 5 passes the level. Move on to the next one.

Levels 3 to 5 are the subtraction facts. They take longest, often a few weeks each, and they matter most: every later level uses them.

Why the levels are in this order

Each level uses the one before it. Children who know the facts within 10 (level 3) can count up and go back to 10 (level 4) to reach every fact within 20 (level 5).

Those facts are reused for tens and hundreds (level 6): 7 − 3 = 4, so 70 − 30 = 40 and 700 − 300 = 400. Place value then turns them into 2-digit subtraction (level 7), regrouping (level 8), zeros (level 9) and bigger numbers (level 10).

When a child is stuck at a high level, the cause is usually a gap lower down. A child who keeps getting 3-digit subtraction wrong often has slow facts within 20, so go back and retake level 5.

Learn subtraction alongside addition

Subtraction is the opposite of addition, so the two are best learned together. Every subtraction fact has a partner addition fact: 13 − 8 = 5 because 8 + 5 = 13.

The addition levels follow the same order. A good routine is to pass an addition level, then the subtraction level with the same number. Fact families make the link easy to see.

More subtraction practice

• Subtraction quiz for every grade.
• Subtraction practice trainer for daily fact practice.
• 1-minute subtraction speed test.
• Printable subtraction facts worksheets.

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: 6 dots, 2 crossed out
2. Level 2: 9 − 3
3. Level 3: 10 − 4
4. Level 4: 13 − 9
5. Level 5: 15 − 7
6. Level 6: 90 − 40
7. Level 7: 68 − 35
8. Level 8: 425 − 168
9. Level 9: 600 − 247
10. Level 10: 6,225 − 2,768

Common mistakes

How to teach it at home

Level chart

Print a chart of 10 boxes and colour one each time a level is passed.

Celebrate

A small reward at levels 5 and 10.

Keep facts fresh

Even at level 9, do a 1-minute speed test each week.

By grade

• Kindergarten subtraction
• 1st grade subtraction
• 2nd grade subtraction
• 3rd grade subtraction
• 4th grade subtraction

More for each grade: Kindergarten math; 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.

Worksheets and practice

Subtraction facts worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key. · Make a fresh test

Subtraction quiz