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Maths · Column subtraction worksheet

Column Subtraction Worksheet: Free Year 3 Maths with Answers

This free, printable worksheet helps children practise column subtraction with 3-digit numbers. The first four need no exchanging. The last four do, so children can build up one step at a time.

It prints on one A4 page, and the answers print on a second page for grown-ups.

Years 3–4 · ages 7–9KS2Free to printFree to shareSheet 97

What your child is learning

‘add and subtract numbers with up to 3 digits, using formal written methods of columnar addition and subtraction’

Year 3 Maths: Number – addition and subtraction, National Curriculum in England. Source and licence

Column Subtraction

Free Maths worksheet · Ages 7 to 8

Name:

A cartoon badger taking apples out of a basket, drawn as black outlines on white for colouring in.

Subtract in columns

Start with the ones. Exchange a ten for ten ones when you need to.

1.894−394
2.654−533
3.978−265
4.923−611
5.580−246
6.950−418
7.707−332
8.523−197

Answers: Column Subtraction

Sheet 97

1. 894 − 394 = 500
2. 654 − 533 = 121
3. 978 − 265 = 713
4. 923 − 611 = 312
5. 580 − 246 = 334
6. 950 − 418 = 532
7. 707 − 332 = 375
8. 523 − 197 = 326

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Answer key

1. 894 − 394 = 500
2. 654 − 533 = 121
3. 978 − 265 = 713
4. 923 − 611 = 312
5. 580 − 246 = 334
6. 950 − 418 = 532
7. 707 − 332 = 375
8. 523 − 197 = 326

How column subtraction works

Write the bigger number on top, with ones under ones, tens under tens and hundreds under hundreds. Start with the ones. In each column, take the bottom digit away from the top digit. Always start on the right, because an exchange in the ones changes the tens.

What is exchanging?

If the top digit is smaller than the bottom one, take one ten from the tens column and exchange it for ten ones. Cross out the tens digit and write one less above it, then put a small 1 next to the ones digit to show it is ten more. In 352 − 127, the 2 ones become 12 ones, and 12 − 7 = 5. Many parents learned this as borrowing.

How to help at home

Check every answer by adding. If 352 − 127 = 225, then 225 + 127 should make 352. It is a quick habit that catches many slips, and it is what the Year 3 curriculum asks for: using the inverse operation to check an answer.

Frequently asked questions

When do children learn column subtraction?

Column subtraction with up to 3 digits is part of Year 3 maths in the National Curriculum in England, when children are 7 to 8. In Year 4 they use it with 4-digit numbers.

Is borrowing the same as exchanging?

Yes. Schools now usually say exchanging, because one ten is swapped for ten ones. Nothing is borrowed and paid back, so the word fits the method better.

Is this worksheet really free?

Yes. Print it, save it as a PDF or share it with other parents and teachers. There is no sign-up and no email needed.

Curriculum links

Year 3 Maths: Number – addition and subtraction (statutory): 'add and subtract numbers with up to 3 digits, using formal written methods of columnar addition and subtraction'
Year 3 Maths: Number – addition and subtraction (statutory): 'estimate the answer to a calculation and use inverse operations to check answers'

Quoted word for word from Department for Education documents: the National Curriculum in England, the EYFS framework or the RSHE guidance. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Made by The Owee education team. Updated 13/10/2026. Free to print and share.