Classroom · Math · 1st and 2nd grade

Subtraction within 20 worksheets

A free five-page pack: one strategy with a worked example, problems to count and write, practice with number lines, columns and missing numbers, a fact family, word problems and an answer key.

Download the subtraction within 20 pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

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Watch it solved

58 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice subtraction within 20, step by step.
0:04 Go back to ten. For 14 minus 6, take 4 to get to 10, then 2 more: 10 minus 2 equals 8.
0:12 Count the pictures, and write the numbers. 16 minus 8 equals 8.
0:18 Solve each one. 11 minus 4 is 7.
0:22 Use the number line. Start at 17, and hop back 6. You land on 11.
0:30 Find the missing number. 18 minus what makes 10? 8.
0:35 Fact family. Use 3, 9 and 12 to write four facts. 3 plus 9 is 12.
0:42 Omar has 11 apples. Omar gives 9 to Zara. How many apples does Omar have left? 11 minus 9 is 2.
0:52 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

Go back to ten. For 14 – 6, take 4 to get to 10, then 2 more: 10 – 2 = 8.

Teaching tip

Check with addition: if 14 – 6 = 8, then 8 + 6 should make 14.

Try some

11 – 4 = ?7
11 – 8 = ?3
12 – 1 = ?11
17 – 5 = ?12
14 – 1 = ?13
14 – 4 = ?10
20 – 8 = ?12
18 – 7 = ?11

Tap a problem to see the answer.

Word problems

Omar has 11 apples. Omar gives 9 to Zara. How many apples does Omar have left?Show answer

11 – 9 = 2

There are 18 ducks in the pond. 4 swim away. How many ducks are left?Show answer

18 – 4 = 14

Ben has 15 crayons. Ben gives 5 to Aisha. How many crayons does Ben have left?Show answer

15 – 5 = 10

There are 15 bees on a flower. 6 buzz away. How many bees are left?Show answer

15 – 6 = 9

What the worksheets look like

Subtraction within 20 worksheet with a worked example and problems to count — Page 1: the strategy, then count and write

Subtraction within 20 word problems worksheet — Page 4: word problems

Common questions

How do you teach subtraction within 20?

Go back to ten. For 14 – 6, take 4 to get to 10, then 2 more: 10 – 2 = 8. Check with addition: if 14 – 6 = 8, then 8 + 6 should make 14.

What grade is subtraction within 20?

Usually 1st and 2nd grade. In the Common Core it is part of 1.OA.C.6, 2.OA.B.2.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip. The worksheet maker also adds an answer key to every sheet it makes.