Long division steps chart
Long division repeats four steps until no digits are left: divide, multiply, subtract, bring down. Whatever is left at the end is the remainder. This chart lists the steps, works one problem through them, and shows how to check the answer.
Free printable PDF, 4th grade to 6th grade.
One page, black and white, prints the same every time.
What is on the sheet
The steps
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Divide | How many times does the divisor go into the digits you are looking at? Write that number on top. |
| 2. Multiply | Multiply the number you just wrote by the divisor. Write the product underneath. |
| 3. Subtract | Subtract the product. The difference must be smaller than the divisor. |
| 4. Bring down | Bring down the next digit and start again at step 1. |
| Remainder | When there are no digits left to bring down, what is left is the remainder. |
Worked example: 745 ÷ 3
| Step | Work |
|---|---|
| Divide | 3 goes into 7 two times. Write 2 above the 7. |
| Multiply | 2 × 3 = 6. Write 6 under the 7. |
| Subtract | 7 − 6 = 1 |
| Bring down | Bring down the 4 to make 14. |
| Divide | 3 goes into 14 four times. Write 4 above the 4. |
| Multiply | 4 × 3 = 12 |
| Subtract | 14 − 12 = 2 |
| Bring down | Bring down the 5 to make 25. |
| Divide | 3 goes into 25 eight times. Write 8 above the 5. |
| Multiply | 8 × 3 = 24 |
| Subtract | 25 − 24 = 1. No digits are left, so 1 is the remainder. |
| Answer | 745 ÷ 3 = 248 r1 |
| Check | 248 × 3 = 744, and 744 + 1 = 745 |
Remembering the order
The steps always come in the same order, and children remember them with a sentence: "Does McDonald's Sell Burgers?" for divide, multiply, subtract, bring down. Some classes use a family instead: Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother. Either way, the chart is meant to sit next to the first few long division sheets and come off the desk once the steps feel automatic.
The subtract step is the built-in check. If the difference is as big as the divisor or bigger, the number written on top was too small. Rub it out and try one more.
When long division is taught
Fourth grade divides up to four digits by a one-digit divisor, with and without remainders (CCSS 4.NBT.B.6). Fifth grade moves to two-digit divisors (5.NBT.B.6), and sixth grade is expected to use the standard method fluently (6.NS.B.2). The steps are the same at every grade. Only the multiplying gets harder.
Common questions
- What if the divisor does not go into the first digit?
- Look at the first two digits instead. In 156 ÷ 4, 4 does not go into 1, so start with 15: 4 goes into 15 three times. Write the 3 above the 5, not above the 1.
- What if a step gives 0?
- Write the 0 on top and carry on. In 412 ÷ 4, 4 goes into 4 once. Bring down the 1: 4 goes into 1 zero times, so a 0 goes above the 1 before you bring down the 2, and the answer is 103. Leaving the 0 out is the most common long division mistake.
- How do you check a long division answer?
- Multiply the answer by the divisor and add the remainder. You should get the number you started with.