Subtraction - Grade 1 Math Worksheet 12 - Free Printable

Download this free printable Subtraction worksheet for Grade 1 Math. Perfect for practice, homework, and classroom use.

Grade 1 Math practice

This printable Subtraction worksheet is part of the free WizKidsHub Grade 1 Math collection. Print it at home or in the classroom for extra practice.

What this worksheet teaches

• Subtract within 20 using counting back and taking away from a group.
• Understand subtraction as both 'take away' and 'find the difference between'.
• Use known addition facts to work out related subtraction facts (if 6 + 3 = 9, then 9 − 3 = 6).
• Solve simple story problems where something is lost, eaten, given away or left over.

How to use this worksheet

Subtraction is harder than addition for Grade 1 students mainly because counting backwards is harder than counting forwards. Practise counting back from 15 out loud before you start the sheet. Keep ten or twenty small objects on the table so your child can physically remove items for any question that stalls.

Sample questions from this worksheet

1. 8 - 0 = ______
2. 13 - 0 = ______

Frequently asked questions

Why does my child find subtraction so much harder than addition?

Counting backwards is genuinely harder than counting forwards, and 'taking away' is a less familiar action than joining. Both usually improve with objects to move and short daily practice rather than longer sessions.

My child adds instead of subtracting in word problems. How do I fix that?

Have them retell the story in their own words before touching the pencil. Once they can say 'she had some and gave some away', the operation follows. Highlighting words like 'left' and 'gave away' also helps.

Should my child count backwards or use addition to subtract?

Either is fine in Grade 1. Counting back suits small differences; 'what plus 3 makes 9?' suits larger ones. Showing both gives your child a choice rather than one fragile method.