Should my 1st grader still count on fingers?

Fingers are fine early in the year. Nudge toward counting up from the smaller number: for 12 − 9 that's three quick hops.

Are the problems the same on every print?

No. Each print pulls a fresh set of facts within 20, so a sibling or a second try never sees the same sheet.

1st grade subtraction within 20

1st grade subtraction within 20 worksheets

First graders subtract within 20 using strategies like counting back, counting up, and thinking of the matching addition fact. The stacked layout mirrors the addition sheets, so the two skills feel like one family.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core 1.OA.C.6.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of problems you'll get

Solve each problem.

10 − 0 =
Answer: 10
6 − 1 =
Answer: 5
3 − 0 =
Answer: 3

Every print pulls a fresh set of problems at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.

What's on a 1st grade sheet

The sample sheet above has 25 problems. Its answers run from 0 to 16.

Subtraction within 20: fluency practice. Solve each problem. 25 problems per page.
Subtraction within 20: mad-minute grid. Solve each problem. 16 problems per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key after the problems.

How to teach this

Start with facts your child can picture, like 10 − 4. Show counting up as well as counting back: for 12 − 9, counting up from nine is three quick hops. Keep sessions short and say the whole fact aloud each time.

Watch for: Kids count backward one at a time and lose track. Counting UP from the smaller number (13 − 9: 9 to 13 is 4) is faster and surer. Kids read 13 − 5 as 15 − 3 when working fast. Have them touch the first number and say it before subtracting.

Common questions about 1st grade subtraction within 20

Should my 1st grader still count on fingers?: Fingers are fine early in the year. Nudge toward counting up from the smaller number: for 12 − 9 that's three quick hops.
Are the problems the same on every print?: No. Each print pulls a fresh set of facts within 20, so a sibling or a second try never sees the same sheet.

Related worksheets

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Aligned to Common Core 1.OA.C.6. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 240, updated September 2026.

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