Subtraction Strategies for Kids

Subtraction is often harder for children than addition. Taking away, finding the difference and counting back all feel a bit different. Teaching subtraction through strategies and plenty of hands-on practice helps it make sense. Here's a step-by-step guide.

The meanings of subtraction

Subtraction can mean:

• Take away: "I had 7 sweets and ate 3. How many are left?"
• Difference: "Tom has 7 stickers. Mia has 3. How many more does Tom have?"
• Missing addend: "3 + ? = 7."

Children should experience all three.

Strategy 1: Take away with objects (ages 4–5)

Count out a set, take some away, count what's left. "7 blocks, take away 3: 1, 2, 3, 4. Four left!"

Strategy 2: Counting back (ages 5–6)

Start at the bigger number and count back. "8 − 3: 7, 6, 5."

Use: number lines and hopscotch. Works best for subtracting small numbers.

Strategy 3: Counting up (finding the difference) (ages 6–7)

Count up from the smaller number to the bigger number. "12 − 9: 10, 11, 12. That's 3."

Tip: great when numbers are close together.

Strategy 4: Think addition (ages 6–7)

Use known addition facts. "10 − 4 = ? Think: 4 + ? = 10. That's 6."

Fact families help: 4 + 6 = 10, 6 + 4 = 10, 10 − 4 = 6, 10 − 6 = 4.

Strategy 5: Subtracting from 10 (ages 6–7)

Know the pairs that make 10, then use them. "13 − 5: take 3 to get to 10, then 2 more. 8."

Strategy 6: Subtracting 10 and 9 (ages 6–8)

Subtracting 10 just changes the tens digit: 47 − 10 = 37. Subtracting 9 is subtracting 10 and adding 1: 47 − 9 = 38.

Strategy 7: Partitioning (ages 7–9)

Split the number being subtracted. "56 − 23: 56 − 20 = 36, 36 − 3 = 33."

Strategy 8: Column subtraction (ages 7–9)

Subtract ones first, then tens. When the top digit is smaller, regroup (borrow) a ten. Use our column subtraction worksheets.

Tip: use tens rods and ones cubes to show regrouping: "We don't have enough ones, so we swap a ten for 10 ones."

Practice resources

• Subtraction worksheets: our subtraction worksheets progress from picture subtraction to regrouping.
• Custom sheets: make practice sheets with the math worksheet maker.
• Word problems: see word problem strategies.
• Money: giving change is real-life subtraction. See money worksheets.

Subtraction games

1. Bowling. Start with 10 pins (cups). How many fell? How many are left?
2. Hide some. Put 8 counters down, hide some under a cup. How many are hidden?
3. Race to zero. Start at 20, roll a dice and subtract. First to reach zero exactly wins.
4. Subtraction war. Each player flips two cards and subtracts the smaller from the bigger. Largest difference wins.
5. Shop and change. Pay with "10p" and work out the change.
6. Number line jumps. Jump back on a floor number line.

Common subtraction mistakes

• Subtracting the smaller digit from the bigger in each column (e.g., 52 − 17 = 45). Teach regrouping with objects.
• Counting back incorrectly: children sometimes include the starting number. Use a number line.
• Thinking you can't subtract a bigger number from a smaller one. In early math, that's true with whole numbers; later they'll learn about negative numbers.

Ideas by age

Ages 4–5: take away with objects, within 5.

Ages 5–6: counting back and take away within 10.

Ages 6–7: counting up, think addition, subtraction within 20.

Ages 7–9: partitioning, column subtraction and regrouping.

Frequently asked questions

Why is subtraction harder than addition?

It involves several meanings and counting back, which is harder than counting forward.

What is regrouping?

Swapping one ten for ten ones (or one hundred for ten tens) so you can subtract in a column.

How do I teach fact families?

Use three numbers, like 3, 5 and 8, and write two addition and two subtraction facts with them.

Choosing the best strategy

Help children look at the numbers before choosing:

• Small number to subtract (like 14 − 2): count back.
• Numbers close together (like 21 − 18): count up.
• Subtracting 9 or 10 (like 35 − 9): subtract 10 and adjust.
• Known fact (like 10 − 7): think addition.
• Bigger numbers (like 74 − 38): partition or use column subtraction.

Ask "What's the easiest way to solve this one?" before they start.

How can I check a subtraction answer?

Add the answer to the number you subtracted. If you get back to the starting number, it's correct. For example, 74 − 38 = 36, and 36 + 38 = 74.

What's the best way to teach regrouping?

Use real objects first: tens rods and ones cubes, or bundles of sticks. Let children physically break a ten into ten ones before trying it on paper.

What's the easiest way to explain borrowing?

Use money: if you need to pay 7 cents but only have 3 pennies and a dime, swap the dime for 10 pennies. Now you have 13 pennies, enough to pay.

Should children learn subtraction facts by heart?

Yes, eventually. Strategies first, then regular practice for fluency.