What are base ten blocks?

Blocks that show place value as size. A small cube is one, a rod is ten ones, a flat is ten rods or one hundred, and a large cube is ten flats or one thousand. Teachers use them so children can see why 10 ones become 1 ten.

How do I show regrouping or carrying?

Leave Trade automatically on and press + under the ones until there are ten: the ten small cubes swap for one rod, as they do when you carry in addition. To show borrowing, turn it off and press Break one under a rod to trade it for ten ones.

How do I show a number with base ten blocks?

Type it in the number box, up to 9,999, and the blocks are drawn for it. Or build it by pressing + under each place and read the number the blocks make.

Can I use these for addition and subtraction?

Yes. Build the first number, add blocks for the second and let them trade up, or take blocks away and break a rod when there are not enough ones. Say each trade out loud so the words match the blocks.

Grades K to 5

Base Ten Blocks

Build a number from ones, tens, hundreds and thousands. Ten of a block trade up for one of the next size, and a bigger block breaks back into ten, so regrouping is something children can see.

Number Trade automatically Show the number

Press + to add a block and tap a block to take it away. With trading on, ten of one kind swap for one of the next size.

Ways to use it in class

Build and read. Say a number like 1,407 and have students build it, then read what the blocks show: one thousand, four hundreds, no tens, seven ones.
Carrying in addition. Add ones one at a time. When the tenth arrives, ten cubes swap for a rod, which is the carry written in a column.
Borrowing in subtraction. Turn trading off, build 52 and take away 7. There are not enough ones, so Break one on a rod and try again.
Compare numbers. Build 308 and 380 side by side on paper and see which has more tens.

Questions teachers ask

What are base ten blocks?: Blocks that show place value as size. A small cube is one, a rod is ten ones, a flat is ten rods or one hundred, and a large cube is ten flats or one thousand. Teachers use them so children can see why 10 ones become 1 ten.
How do I show regrouping or carrying?: Leave Trade automatically on and press + under the ones until there are ten: the ten small cubes swap for one rod, as they do when you carry in addition. To show borrowing, turn it off and press Break one under a rod to trade it for ten ones.
How do I show a number with base ten blocks?: Type it in the number box, up to 9,999, and the blocks are drawn for it. Or build it by pressing + under each place and read the number the blocks make.
Can I use these for addition and subtraction?: Yes. Build the first number, add blocks for the second and let them trade up, or take blocks away and break a rod when there are not enough ones. Say each trade out loud so the words match the blocks.

More classroom tools

Number LineGrades K to 8

Whole numbers, fractions, decimals and negatives. Mark points and draw jumps for adding and subtracting.

Hundreds ChartGrades K to 3

Color squares, hide numbers to fill in, and light up skip counting by any number.

Place Value ChartGrades 1 to 6

Type a number and see each digit's value, expanded form, word form and base ten blocks.

Ten FrameGrades K to 2

One or two frames with two-color counters, for counting, making ten and quick looks.

Multiplication ChartGrades 2 to 5

Up to 12 x 12 or 20 x 20. Tap a product to light up its row and column, hide answers to practice, and print.

Fraction StripsGrades 2 to 6

A fraction wall from wholes to twelfths. Shade pieces to compare fractions and find equivalent ones.

Number BondsGrades K to 2

A whole and its two parts. Build bonds, practice the missing part, and print a worksheet.

Graph PaperGrades 1 to 8

Printable square grid, dot grid, coordinate axes and isometric dots, in the square size you choose.

Analog ClockGrades K to 3

Drag the hands, read the time in digits and words, and practice with random times from the hour to the minute.

GeoboardGrades 2 to 8

Tap pegs to stretch a rubber band into shapes, then read the area and perimeter. Boards from 5 x 5 to 11 x 11.

Pattern BlocksGrades K to 5

The six classic blocks to drag and turn: make pictures and patterns, tile shapes and explore fractions of a hexagon.

Algebra TilesGrades 6 to 9

Build expressions from x squared, x and 1 tiles, flip them negative, and use them to combine terms, multiply and factor.

Coordinate PlaneGrades 5 to 8

One or four quadrants. Tap to plot points, join them into shapes, and print blank grids.