Subtraction practice
Free online subtraction practice for kids: pick a set of facts, from within 5 to 2-digit numbers, and answer one at a time. No sign-up.
🧒 Kids: pick your facts, tap Start! 🚀 and answer each question. Get them all right for ⭐⭐⭐!
Ready-made practice rounds
One tap sets up the trainer. Each round takes about 5 minutes.
- Subtraction within 5 · kindergarten
- Subtraction within 10 · grade 1
- Taking away from 10: 10 − 7 · uses the pairs that make 10
- Counting back 1, 2 and 3: 14 − 3 · a first strategy
- Subtraction within 20 · grade 1 and 2
- Teen facts: 13 − 8, 15 − 7 · the hard facts of grade 2
- Mixed facts within 20, 6-second timer · end of grade 2 check
- Subtracting tens: 70 − 30, 46 − 10 · grade 1 and 2
- 2-digit numbers: 64 − 27 · grade 2 mental maths
Which facts for which grade?
| Grade | Facts | Timer | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Within 5 | No timer | Subtract within 5 quickly and correctly (K.OA.A.5) |
| Grade 1 (class 1) | Within 10, from 10, counting back | No timer, then 10 s | Fluent within 10, with strategies to 20 (1.OA.C.6) |
| Grade 2 (class 2) | Within 20, teen facts, tens, 2-digit | 10 s, then 6 s | Subtraction facts within 20 from memory (2.OA.B.2) |
| Grade 3 and up | Mixed within 20 at speed, 2-digit numbers | 6 s, then 4 s | Quick facts for column subtraction and division |
How to use the subtraction trainer
- Pick the facts. “Within 10” suits most first graders. Use a ready-made round above if you are not sure.
- Choose a timer. Start with no timer. Add one only when your child gets most answers right.
- Answer each fact. Type the answer and press Enter, or use the number pad on a phone or tablet.
- Read the trick when a fact is missed. The same fact comes back a few questions later for a second try.
- Check the fact map. Each row is a starting number and each column is how many are taken away. Green is quick, yellow is right but slow, red is missed.
Choose “9 − ? = 5” in the game style to practice missing numbers. These questions link subtraction to addition, which is the fastest route to knowing the facts.
How fast is “fluent”?
A child knows a subtraction fact when the answer comes in about 3 seconds without counting back. Counting back still gets the right answer, but it is slow and easy to get wrong by one, especially for facts like 15 − 7.
The trainer has three speeds. 10 seconds leaves time for a strategy. 6 seconds nudges your child to remember. 4 seconds is a fluency check. Accuracy comes first: 18 out of 20 with no timer is better than 12 out of 20 against the clock.
Ready to race? Try the 1-minute subtraction speed test.
When a fact won’t stick
Every subtraction fact can be worked out from an addition fact or from 10. These are the tricks the trainer shows after a mistake:
| Fact | Work it out from… |
|---|---|
| 13 − 8 = 5 | Think addition: 8 + 5 = 13 |
| 14 − 6 = 8 | Back to 10: 14 − 4 = 10, then 2 more makes 8 |
| 10 − 7 = 3 | Pairs that make 10: 7 and 3 |
| 12 − 3 = 9 | Count back 3: 11, 10, 9 |
| 16 − 8 = 8 | Double: 8 + 8 = 16 |
| 11 − 9 = 2 | Count up: from 9 to 11 is 2 steps |
| 64 − 27 = 37 | Tens first: 64 − 20 = 44, then take 7 more |
The subtraction facts strategies lesson shows each trick with pictures.
A 5-minute daily routine
- Minute 1: say the pairs that make 10 out loud. They answer every “10 take away” fact.
- Minutes 2–4: one 20-question round on this week’s facts.
- Minute 5: look at the fact map together and practice anything red.
Practice addition and subtraction in the same week: once your child knows 8 + 5 = 13, ask 13 − 5 and 13 − 8 straight away. The addition practice trainer works the same way.
For parents and teachers
- Share a round: set it up, press “Copy a link to these settings”, and send the link.
- Print results: after a round, type your child’s name and press “Print results” for a one-page record with the fact map.
- Projector friendly: big numbers and an on-screen number pad work well for a whole-class warm-up.
- Private by design: no account and no names stored online. Recent rounds stay in this browser only.
More subtraction practice
- Subtraction speed test: how many facts can you answer in 1 minute?
- Subtraction facts worksheet with an answer key, and number bonds worksheet.
- Subtraction chart: a printable chart for the desk.
- Next steps: 2-digit subtraction · 3-digit subtraction · 2-digit subtraction worksheet
Back to subtraction for kids · 1st grade math · 2nd grade math
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
How can my child practice subtraction online for free?
Use the trainer at the top of this page. Pick a set of facts, such as within 10, tap Start and answer one fact at a time. There is no sign-up, missed facts come back for a second try, and the results show which facts are quick, slow or still missing.
What are subtraction facts?
The subtractions that undo the addition facts, from 0 − 0 up to 20 − 10, like 13 − 8 = 5. Children learn them within 5 in kindergarten, within 10 in grade 1 and within 20 by the end of grade 2.
How fast should kids answer subtraction facts?
A fact is fluent when the answer comes in about 3 seconds without counting back on fingers. Subtraction facts usually take longer to become quick than addition facts, so give them extra time.
Which subtraction facts should my child practice first?
Start within 5, then within 10 and taking away from 10. Next come counting back 1, 2 and 3, then the facts within 20, and last the teen facts like 13 − 8 that cross 10.
What is the best strategy for subtraction facts?
Think addition. 13 − 8 asks “8 plus what makes 13?” Children who know their addition facts can use them to answer every subtraction fact. Counting back works well only for taking away 1, 2 or 3.
Can teachers use this subtraction practice in class?
Yes. Choose the facts and timer, press “Copy a link to these settings” and share the link. Every child who opens it gets the same kind of round, with no logins and no student data leaving the device.