Three-Digit Subtraction Practice
20 questions · 60 seconds · numbers 100–999, vertical format
Free · no login · instant feedback on every answer
The full borrowing workout: three-digit subtraction with numbers from 100 to 999 in vertical format, answers never negative. Three digits bring the cases that two digits can't — chained borrows, and the notorious middle zero in problems like 605 − 238.
Borrowing across a zero is the single most error-prone move in elementary arithmetic, and the only cure is meeting it often with instant feedback. Sixty seconds of these a day builds the calm, mechanical confidence that long multiplication and division assume.
Tips That Make It Stick
- Scan for zeros first. A zero in the middle of the top number (as in 605 − 238) signals a double trade: the hundreds lend to the tens, then the tens lend to the ones. Spotting it early beats discovering it mid-column.
- Trade, then write it down. Cross out and rewrite every digit that changes. Doing borrows "in your head" is where the errors live at three digits.
- Add back to check. After 704 − 356 = 348, verify 348 + 356 = 704. Addition is subtraction's built-in answer key, and it catches borrow slips every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you subtract across a zero?
When the tens digit is 0 and the ones need to borrow, borrow twice: one hundred becomes ten tens, then one of those tens becomes ten ones. In 605 − 238, the 605 becomes 5 hundreds, 9 tens, 15 ones — then subtract normally.
What grade learns three-digit subtraction?
It is introduced in 2nd grade and expected to be fluent — including borrowing across zeros — by the end of 3rd grade.
Can I practice without borrowing first?
Yes — load the game, open game settings, and set regrouping to "none" for borrow-free problems, then switch back when ready.
📝 Matching Printable Worksheets
Prefer paper practice? These free PDF worksheets cover the same skill — each includes an answer key: