Subtraction Within 20 Game

Take a single-digit number away from a teen number, such as 15 − 7. Every question crosses back below ten.

Choose a mode

Type answers on your keyboard, or tap the number pad.

How to play

  1. Choose the 60-second challenge or untimed practice, then press Start.
  2. Type each answer on your keyboard or tap the number pad. It’s checked as soon as you’ve typed enough digits, or press ✓.
  3. Get one wrong and you’ll see the right answer, and the question comes back a little later.
  4. At the end, check your score and the facts to practise again.

What it practises

  • Subtraction facts within 20
  • Subtracting across ten
  • Using addition facts to subtract

Level: Grades 1–2 (ages 6–8)

Tips for subtracting within 20

Go back to ten first: 15 − 7 = 15 − 5 − 2 = 8.

Count up to ten and on: for 13 − 9, count 9 → 10 (1) → 13 (3), so the answer is 4.

Questions and answers

What does “subtracting across ten” mean?

It means the answer ends up below 10 even though you started above it, as in 14 − 6 = 8. Stopping at 10 on the way (14 − 4 − 2) makes it easier.

Which facts cause the most trouble?

Facts like 13 − 8, 15 − 7 and 17 − 9 usually cause the most trouble, because they take away more than the ones digit.

Is there a game for smaller numbers?

Yes. Subtraction Within 10 covers the basic facts, and it’s a good place to start before this game.

More subtraction games

See all subtraction games →