Writing three-digit numbers in expanded form
Expanded form writes a number as the sum of its place values. A three-digit number contains hundreds, tens, and ones. A zero digit means that place contributes zero to the sum.
2nd Grade Place Value Worksheets
Understand hundreds, tens, and ones in three-digit numbers.
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 2nd Grade
For 2nd 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).
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
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.
1
Hundreds, Tens, and Ones
Identify the value of digits in hundreds, tens, and ones places.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels2Comparing Three-Digit Numbers
Compare three-digit numbers using >, <, and =.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels3Expanded Form
Write numbers in expanded form using hundreds, tens, and ones.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels4Skip Counting
Skip count by 5s, 10s, and 100s within 1000.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levels5Rounding to the Nearest Ten
Round two-digit and three-digit numbers to the nearest ten.
10 worksheets · 3 difficulty levelsTips for Parents & Teachers
1
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.
2
Play "build the number" — say a number and have your child show it with tens and ones using objects or drawings.
3
When your child sees a two-digit number, ask: "How many tens? How many ones?" until it becomes automatic.
4
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 2nd Grade?
2nd Grade place value 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 place value worksheets are available?
Available subtopics have 10 numbered sets for 2nd 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 2nd 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.
How do I know if my 2nd Grade student is ready for the Hard place value 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 2nd Grade place value worksheets free?
Yes, every place value 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.