Subtraction worksheets
Column subtraction from two to five digits. Medium sheets always need borrowing (regrouping), answers are never negative, and every PDF comes with a key.
How to solve them
- Line up the digits by place value.
- Start with the ones column. If the top digit is smaller, borrow 1 ten from the next column (the top digit gets 10 more).
- Subtract each column, moving left.
- Check by adding your answer to the bottom number — you should get the top number.
Ready-to-print subtraction worksheets
Nine fixed sets — three per level. Each PDF has the problems followed by the answer key.
Levels
| Level | Problems | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 2-digit − 2-digit | 1–2 |
| Medium | 3-digit, always borrowing in the ones | 2–3 |
| Hard | 4- and 5-digit numbers | 4 |
Borrowing across zeros
Problems like 7,003 − 2,568 are the trickiest: you borrow from the thousands, then the hundreds, then the tens. Model one example on the board before handing out the hard sheets.
Charts that help
- Number chart 1–100 — free printable PDF
- Place value chart — free printable PDF
More math generators: multiplication, long division, comparing fractions, multiplying fractions, adding fractions, least common multiple (lcm), greatest common factor (gcf), area, place value, addition, combining like terms. Or print a whole grade: 4th, 5th and 6th grade math.
Frequently asked questions
Are there negative answers?
No. The top number is always bigger, so every answer is a positive whole number.
Does every problem need borrowing?
On the medium level, yes — the ones digit on top is always smaller than the one below it.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. The PDF always ends with an answer key for the same problems, so you can print the questions for students and keep the key. Every answer is checked by automated tests.
Can I print the same worksheet again later?
Yes. Every sheet has a set number (the seed) printed in the footer and saved in the page address. Open the same link, or type the same level, count and set number, and you get exactly the same problems and answer key.