1st Grade Place Value Worksheets
Understand tens and ones place value.
About Place Value
Place value is the idea that a digit's value depends on its position within a number. The "3" in 30 is worth ten times more than the "3" in 3. This concept is the backbone of our entire number system and is essential for understanding how multi-digit numbers work.
Why Place Value Matters for 1st Grade
For 1st Grade students, place value is a major conceptual leap. It moves children from thinking of numbers as a simple counting sequence to understanding their internal structure. Students who grasp place value can add and subtract multi-digit numbers, compare large numbers, and understand that 10 ones make 1 ten — a key concept for regrouping (carrying and borrowing).
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Students first learn to break numbers into tens and ones, then apply that understanding to compare two-digit numbers. The ability to decompose numbers makes addition and subtraction with regrouping much more intuitive.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use physical bundles: group 10 pennies, straws, or blocks together and call them "one ten." Then show 3 tens and 4 ones to represent 34.
Play "build the number" — say a number and have your child show it with tens and ones using objects or drawings.
When your child sees a two-digit number, ask: "How many tens? How many ones?" until it becomes automatic.
Connect to money: a dime is worth 10 pennies, which is a perfect real-world model of tens and ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills does place value cover in 1st Grade?
1st Grade place value builds foundational skills that students need to progress in math. The worksheets on this page cover all the key concepts within this topic area, organized from basic to more advanced.
How many place value worksheets are available?
We offer 10 worksheets per subtopic for 1st Grade place value, 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 place value?
Check the prerequisite topics listed on this page. We recommend students have a solid understanding of those foundational skills before moving on to place value.