Math Addition and Subtraction Worksheets

How to use the Addition and Subtraction Worksheets Tool

1. Type your heading in Title on the sheet. The default is “Add and Subtract.”
2. Choose a Mix of problems: Half adding, half subtracting (default), Mostly adding (3 in 4), or Mostly subtracting (3 in 4).
3. Pick Numbers: By number of digits (default), Within 10, or Within 20.
4. If you chose By number of digits, set Digits in the first number and Digits in the second number from 1 to 5.
5. Set Carrying and borrowing to Any (default), Every problem needs it, or None needed.
6. Pick the number of Problems (10 to 40) and the number of Columns (2 to 6).
7. Choose a Layout: Stacked (default) or Across.
8. Tick or untick Include answer key.
9. Check the sheet preview. It updates as soon as you change a setting.
10. Click Print or save as PDF. Set the paper size to US Letter or A4 first if needed.

The answer key prints on its own page after the worksheet. Click New worksheet to get different problems with the same settings. Each sheet shows a short worksheet code under the buttons. The page address stores your settings, so a bookmarked or shared link opens the same sheet again. Click Reset settings to return to the defaults.

Press New worksheet for a different mix of problems with the same settings.

How do I make worksheets that mix adding and subtracting?

Set Mix of problems to the balance you want, then set the number range. Half adding, half subtracting gives exactly half sums and half differences, and the order is then shuffled. The two Mostly options give exactly 3 in 4 problems of one kind. For example, with Within 20, half and half, and 8 problems, the tool made this sheet (code k5print):

6 + 14 = 20; 10 − 2 = 8; 4 − 1 = 3; 6 + 6 = 12; 2 − 1 = 1; 16 + 3 = 19; 14 + 6 = 20; 8 − 4 = 4.

Each problem follows a simple rule. In a subtraction, the first number is always larger than the second, so the first number needs at least as many digits as the second. With By number of digits, the tool shows a note if the digit settings cannot give that. With Within 10 or Within 20, every sum is at most 10 or 20, and every subtraction starts from a number of at most 10 or 20 with an answer of at least 1.

Carrying and borrowing are checked column by column. Every addition is verified by adding column by column, and every subtraction is verified by adding the answer back to the number taken away. A problem that fails the check is removed. No problem appears twice on a sheet. If your settings allow fewer different problems than you requested, the sheet says so.

Which mixed addition and subtraction sheets suit kindergarten and 1st grade?

Sheets set to Within 10 or Within 20 suit kindergarten and first grade. Within 10 keeps every sum at most 10, and every subtraction starts from a number of at most 10. Within 20 uses the same rules up to 20. Setting Carrying and borrowing to None needed keeps problems free of carrying and borrowing, which keeps the work at the level of these numbers.

Two-digit numbers with carrying and borrowing are second-grade work. Three digits and more are third grade and up, so use By number of digits with 3 or more digits in either number for those levels. Start with a short set of 10 or 12 problems, then increase the count as the learner gains confidence.