Place value chart

This blank place value chart — for both whole numbers and decimals — provides a visual aid for understanding the value of each digit and making it a useful tool for KS1 and KS2 maths lessons.

What's included

• A whole number place value chart (up to millions)
• A detailed decimal place value chart (up to millionths)
• Clear column labels and gridlines for easy reading and writing

These charts are available as a free PDF download, with an editable version accessible to primary subscribers.

Why use place value charts?

Place value charts offer a visual aid for the value of each digit in both whole numbers and decimals, thereby helping children comprehend the concept of ones, tens, hundreds, and so forth. They are crucial in teaching number sense and strengthening mathematical understanding. By using them, children can more readily understand addition and subtraction, and the value of different digits in larger numbers and decimals.

Key teaching points for place value

Here are the essential teaching points for place value at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2:

Key stage 1 (Years 1-2)

• Understanding that two-digit numbers represent tens and ones
• Recognising the place value of each digit in numbers up to 100
• Counting forwards and backwards in steps of 2, 3, 5, and 10
• Using concrete objects and pictorial representations to demonstrate place value
• Comparing and ordering numbers using <, > and = signs

Key stage 2 (Years 3-6)

• Recognising the place value of digits in numbers up to 1,000 (Year 3)
• Understanding numbers up to 10,000 and reading Roman numerals (Year 4)
• Working with numbers up to 1,000,000, including decimals (Year 5)
• Mastering numbers up to 10,000,000 and decimal places to thousandths (Year 6)

Cross-stage teaching points

• Using zero as a placeholder correctly
• Understanding how numbers change when multiplying or dividing by 10, 100, or 1,000
• Rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100, 1,000
• Partitioning numbers in different ways
• Reading, writing and comparing numbers in numerals and words

How to use this place value chart in the classroom

Place value charts can be employed in numerous ways to enhance children's comprehension of place value in both whole numbers and decimals.

• The charts can help illustrate how each number has a specific place and value. For instance, in the number 123.45, the value of 1 is 100, the value of 2 is 20, the value of 3 is 3, the value of 4 is 0.4, and the value of 5 is 0.05.
• The place value charts can be useful for explaining addition and subtraction. For example, if you subtract 15 from 23, you can show on the chart how you 'borrow' 1 from the tens column and add it to the ones column, turning 3 into 13.
• Place value charts can also be incorporated into games and activities. This might include children placing numbers on the chart, or shifting digits around the chart to form new numbers. This reinforces the concept of place value and makes learning more interactive.

Remember, while using place value charts, it's crucial to ensure children comprehend the concept and aren't just placing numbers without understanding their value.

Looking for more place value resources?

You might also like to try the following printables and activities designed to help children understand place value:

• Place value cars
• Place value trains
• Place value activities
• Place value Ludo board games
• Place value and number sequences
• Elicitation of knowledge - place value
• Reading and writing numbers to ten million

Explore our full collection of place value teaching resources for more ready-to-use worksheets and engaging learning activities.