Subtracting Tenths, Hundredths, and Thousandths
Decimal subtraction requires the same alignment skills as addition, plus borrowing. Master both to build complete decimal fluency.
Decimal subtraction looks like whole number subtraction with a decimal point. But the decimal point actually makes borrowing harder — because zeros in decimal places often require borrowing across multiple columns. A child who can borrow in 42 - 18 may still struggle with 4.2 - 1.8 because the borrowing chain is shorter and less familiar.
These worksheets build decimal subtraction systematically — from simple same-place-value problems to complex borrowing across zeros. For students who need to build whole number subtraction fluency before decimals, see our subtraction basic facts worksheets and two-digit subtraction with borrowing worksheets.
Three stages — master borrowing before moving to different place values
Start with problems where both numbers have the same decimal places and the top digit is larger than the bottom digit in every column (4.8 - 2.3). The child focuses only on alignment and basic subtraction. Spend 3-5 days on this stage.
Introduce problems where borrowing is required within the decimal columns (4.2 - 1.8). The child must borrow from the tenths to the hundredths or from the ones to the tenths. This is where most errors occur. Spend 5-7 days on this stage.
Combine different place values (requiring zero padding) with borrowing across multiple columns (5.0 - 2.35). This is the hardest decimal subtraction skill. Spend 7-10 days on this stage before moving to word problems.
Teach this script — borrowing is the same as whole numbers
Write the numbers in a column with decimal points stacked vertically. Add zeros as placeholders so both numbers have the same number of decimal places.
Start with the smallest decimal place. If the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, borrow from the column to the left — just like whole numbers.
Write the decimal point in the answer directly below the stacked decimal points. Check that the answer makes sense (it should be smaller than the starting number).
If your child continues to struggle with decimal subtraction borrowing, the issue is almost always whole number subtraction fluency. Our Math Foundations course (grades 4-6) includes systematic practice in borrowing across place values. You can also browse all available courses and planners on the resources page.
View Math Foundations — $57Build alignment skills before subtraction
Understand what digits mean before operations
Apply subtraction to money and measurement
Build whole number borrowing fluency first
Full 4th grade math overview
Where decimal subtraction is mastered
Real questions parents ask about decimal subtraction
Our worksheets cover subtracting tenths from tenths, hundredths from hundredths, and mixed place value problems where numbers have different lengths. We also include problems requiring borrowing across decimal places (4.2 - 1.8) and across zeros (5.0 - 2.35).
This is common. Subtraction requires borrowing, which adds cognitive load. If a child is still shaky on whole number subtraction with borrowing, decimal subtraction will be frustrating. The fix is not more decimal practice — it is whole number subtraction practice until borrowing feels automatic. Use our subtraction basic facts and two-digit subtraction worksheets first.
Problems like 5.0 - 2.35 are the hardest decimal subtraction skill. Teach the "zero padding" strategy: write 5.0 as 5.00 so both numbers have hundredths. Then borrow from the ones to the tenths to the hundredths. Use grid paper to keep columns organized. Most children need 1-2 weeks of explicit practice on borrowing across zeros.
This error happens when a child memorizes "subtract the smaller from the larger" from comparing numbers. The fix is explicit teaching: "We always subtract the bottom number from the top number. If the top is smaller, we borrow." Have your child circle the top digit in each column before subtracting. Within 2 weeks, most children break the "smaller from larger" habit.
Always start vertically. The vertical format shows alignment clearly. Once vertical subtraction is solid, introduce horizontal problems where the child must rewrite them vertically before solving. Children who can only do vertical format will struggle when subtraction appears inside equations and word problems.
15-20 problems per session is effective. Practice should be short and daily — 10 minutes every day beats one long session per week. If borrowing is a struggle, reduce to 10 problems and focus on quality over quantity. Stop when attention drops.
First: same number of decimal places without borrowing (4.8 - 2.3). Second: same place value with borrowing (4.2 - 1.8). Third: different place values with zero padding (4.5 - 1.23 becomes 4.50 - 1.23). Fourth: borrowing across zeros (5.0 - 2.35). Fifth: mixed practice of all types. Each stage typically takes 3-5 days.
Answer keys provide only the final answer. This allows students to work through alignment and borrowing independently while giving parents quick verification. If your child makes borrowing errors, have them show their borrowing marks (crossing out and writing new numbers) so you can see where the error occurs.
Generate custom decimal subtraction worksheets. Choose your place value range and difficulty level, and download clean PDFs with answer keys.
Free • No registration required • 10 worksheets per day