Subtraction quiz
A free subtraction quiz for kindergarten to grade 4 (KG to class 4): 10 mixed questions, marked one at a time with hints.
🧒 Kids: pick your grade, then answer 10 questions. Tap Check ✓ after each one!
What each grade’s quiz covers
| Grade | Question types | Learn it |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Taking away pictures, facts within 5 and 10, missing numbers | kindergarten subtraction |
| Grade 1 (class 1) | Facts within 20, counting back and up, missing numbers, tens, word problems | 1st grade subtraction |
| Grade 2 (class 2) | 2-digit subtraction with regrouping, tens and hundreds, 3-digit subtraction, word problems | 2nd grade subtraction |
| Grade 3 (class 3) | 3-digit subtraction, across zeros, estimating, checking, word problems | 3rd grade subtraction |
| Grade 4 (class 4) | 4-digit subtraction, across zeros, estimating, multi-step word problems | 4th grade subtraction |
What is in the quiz?
Pick a grade and answer 10 mixed questions: facts, missing numbers, bigger numbers, estimates and word problems. Each answer is marked straight away with a hint, and Play again gives a fresh quiz every time.
Kindergarten questions use pictures of dots with some crossed out, so children who cannot read yet can still play with a grown-up reading the question.
The hints show a strategy, not just the answer. A missed 13 − 8 shows the addition fact 8 + 5 = 13. A missed 503 − 267 shows how the borrow passes through the zero.
How to use the quiz
- As a check-up: take the quiz for your child’s grade once a week and note the score.
- Read the hints: every wrong answer shows how to work it out. Talk through one together.
- Go back a grade if the score is under 6 out of 10. Many “grade 3” mistakes are really grade 1 facts.
- For facts only, use the subtraction practice trainer or the 1-minute subtraction speed test.
- To track progress step by step, use the subtraction levels.
You can link straight to a grade: kindergarten · grade 1 · grade 2 · grade 3 · grade 4.
What the score means
| Score | What to do next |
|---|---|
| 9 or 10 | Secure. Try the next grade, or a 1-minute speed test for fluency. |
| 7 or 8 | Nearly there. Read the hints for the misses and retake in a few days. |
| 6 or less | Go back to the lessons for the question types missed, or try the grade below. |
Look at which questions were missed, not just the total. Three misses on regrouping need a different fix from three misses on facts.
The errors the quiz shows up
Subtraction mistakes follow a few patterns. Spotting the pattern tells you what to teach next.
- Off by one: 12 − 3 = 10. Your child counted the start number. Practice counting back on a number line.
- Smaller from bigger: 52 − 27 = 35. Your child took 2 from 7 in the ones. Practice trading a ten with blocks.
- Zero trouble: 503 − 267 = 346. The borrow did not pass through the zero. Use the across zeros lesson.
- Wrong operation: adding in a “how many more” problem. Draw a bar model first.
More subtraction practice
- Subtraction practice trainer: facts within 5, 10 and 20, tens and 2-digit numbers.
- 1-minute subtraction speed test with a saved personal best.
- Subtraction levels: 10 steps from taking away to big numbers.
- Printable subtraction facts worksheets with answer keys.
- Subtraction games: race, match and bingo.
- Addition quiz for the matching addition skills.
For teachers
The quiz works on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Share a link for a grade and each child gets their own random questions. Nothing needs a login, and no student data leaves the device. Scores are saved only in the browser.
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.
- Kindergarten: 5 − 2
- Kindergarten: 7 − ? = 4
- Grade 1: 15 − 7
- Grade 1: 12 − 9
- Grade 2: 63 − 28
- Grade 2: 562 − 100
- Grade 3: 742 − 386
- Grade 3: 503 − 267
- Grade 4: 7,245 − 3,688
- Grade 4: a farm had 6,000 apples and sold 2,375. How many are left?
Show the answers
- 3
- 3
- 8
- 3
- 35
- 462
- 356
- 236
- 3,557
- 3,625
Common mistakes
How to teach it at home
Weekly check-in
Same day each week, same grade, note the score.
Beat your score
Children love beating last week’s number.
Explain one
Ask your child to teach you one question.
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
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
Is this subtraction quiz free?
Yes, free with no sign-up. Every quiz is new, so it can be used again and again.
Which grade quiz should my child take?
Their school grade. If they score under 6 out of 10, try the grade below; if they get 10 out of 10 twice, try the grade above.
Does the subtraction quiz include word problems?
Yes. Grades 1 to 4 include word problems, from small take-away stories within 20 to 3-digit and 4-digit problems.
Can teachers use this quiz in class?
Yes. Share the link for a grade, such as /subtraction/quiz/?g=2, and every child gets their own random questions.
Is there a timed subtraction test?
Yes, the 1-minute subtraction speed test times the facts and saves a personal best.