Adding within twenty by making ten
To add within twenty, you can count on from the larger number or make a group of ten first. Making ten uses a known pair such as 8 and 2, then adds whatever remains.
1st Grade Addition Worksheets
Add within 20 and learn addition strategies.
About Addition
Addition is the process of combining two or more quantities to find a total. It is one of the four fundamental operations of arithmetic and the one children typically learn first. These worksheets progress from concrete representations (counting pictures and objects) to abstract number sentences, building both conceptual understanding and computational fluency.
Why Addition Matters for 1st Grade
For 1st Grade students, addition is the first "real math" they learn. Fluency with basic addition facts is critical because these facts are used constantly — in subtraction (as inverse operations), in multiplication (as repeated addition), and in every area of math that follows. Students who struggle with addition will face compounding difficulty in later grades.
Learn these skills step by step
Use a worked explanation before choosing a printable set.
Check three selected skills for this grade and use the explained answers to choose your next practice.
Choose an available subtopic
The subtopics progress from simple sums with small numbers to more complex problems involving larger numbers, multiple addends, missing values, and real-world word problems. Each subtopic introduces a new strategy or complexity level while reinforcing previously learned skills.
1
Addition to 10
Add single-digit numbers with sums to 10.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels2Addition to 20
Add with sums up to 20.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels3Adding Doubles
Learn doubles facts (1+1, 2+2, etc.).
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels4Adding Three Numbers
Add three single-digit numbers.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels5Missing Addends
Find the missing number in addition equations.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels6Addition Word Problems
Solve real-world addition problems.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levelsTips for Parents & Teachers
1
Start with objects your child can touch and move — combining two groups of blocks or toy cars makes addition tangible.
2
Teach the "count on" strategy: start from the bigger number and count up. It is faster than counting everything from 1.
3
Practice "making 10" — it is the most powerful addition strategy and will serve your child for years.
4
Use addition in daily life: "You have 3 strawberries and I am giving you 4 more. How many will you have?"
5
Celebrate when your child can recall a fact from memory without counting — that is fluency developing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills does addition cover in 1st Grade?
1st Grade addition builds foundational skills that students need to progress in math. The worksheets on this page cover the available skills listed below, organized from basic to more advanced.
How many addition worksheets are available?
Available subtopics have 10 numbered sets for 1st Grade addition, organized by difficulty level (Easy, Medium, Hard). Each worksheet targets specific skills within this topic area.
What should my student learn before starting 1st Grade addition?
Check the prerequisite topics listed on this page. We recommend students have a solid understanding of those foundational skills before moving on to addition.
How do I know if my 1st Grade student is ready for the Hard addition worksheets?
Start with the Easy worksheets (Worksheets 1–3). If your student completes them confidently with minimal errors, move to Medium (Worksheets 4–7). Reserve the Hard worksheets (Worksheets 8–10) for students who have demonstrated solid mastery at the Medium level. It is perfectly fine to spend more time at a lower difficulty — mastery at each level is more valuable than rushing ahead.
Are these 1st Grade addition worksheets free?
Yes, every addition worksheet on K12Worksheets is completely free to download and print. There is no signup required, no subscription, and no limit on how many you can print. Each worksheet includes a printable answer key on a separate page so parents and teachers can check work quickly.