Same Math › Grades K–2 › Hundreds chart
What is a hundreds chart?
A hundreds chart lists 1 to 100 in rows of ten. Moving right adds 1 and moving down adds 10, so kids can add and subtract by jumping instead of counting one by one.
- Right adds 1, left takes away 1.
- Down adds 10, up takes away 10.
- From 35, one step down is 35 + 10 = 45.
Why schools teach it
It turns +10 into one step
First graders are expected to find 10 more or 10 less than a number without counting (1.NBT.C.5). On the chart, that's simply one row down or up, and kids start to see that only the tens digit changes.
It also builds toward adding bigger numbers. 23 + 34 becomes three jumps down for the 3 tens and four steps right for the 4 ones. The same idea later becomes jumps on a number line.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
What number is right below 35? Why is it 10 more?
Find 47 + 20 by moving on the chart.
Two rows down: 57, then 67.What do you notice about this column?
The ones digit stays the same. Spotting patterns is the goal.I'll cover a number. Which one is hiding?
A favorite classroom game.
Skip this
- Counting every square to add 10.Jumping a whole row is the skill being taught.
Just line them up and add.
That's the stacked method, which comes later in elementary school.- Using the chart only for counting.It's also for adding, subtracting and spotting patterns.
See it in action
Solving 23 + 34 on the chart
Start at 23
Jump down 3 rows for the 3 tens
23 → 33 → 43 → 53Move right 4 for the 4 ones
53 → 54 → 55 → 56 → 57
Seven moves instead of thirty-four counts.
Free practice sheet
Make a hundreds chart puzzle sheet
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Fridge cheat sheets
Math Fridge Cheat Sheets
Every K–8 math method in one printable book (159 pages): a cheat sheet page like this guide, plus a practice sheet and its answer key for each, in Classic and handwritten Notebook styles. $9 one time, or all 7 subjects for $29.99. See all prices.
Teacher? This method has a classroom pack on TeachersPayTeachers: an anchor chart, a parent letter and practice sheets with answer keys, $4. See the pack
Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
Should the chart start at 0 or 1?
Both are used. 1 to 100 is most common; some classes use 0 to 99 so every row starts with the same tens digit.
Why does my child's chart go to 120?
First graders are expected to count to 120 (1.NBT.A.1), so many classes extend the chart.
When do kids stop using it?
Usually during 2nd grade, when open number lines and mental math take over.
Is there a printable full chart?
The puzzle sheet above uses pieces of one. A full blank chart is coming to the printables pack.