Missing Number Subtraction Worksheet for Grade 1

About this worksheet

Twelve subtraction equations, each with one number missing. In the left column the box sits in the middle (12 − ? = 8), and in the right column it comes first (? − 3 = 7), so a child meets both kinds of puzzle on one page.

The second column is the trickier one, because the missing number is the biggest in the equation. A child who reasons “what minus 3 leaves 7?” usually gets there by adding, which is exactly the connection first grade is building.

A worked example sits at the top, and every number stays within 20.

What students will practice

• Find an unknown number in a subtraction equation
• Work with the unknown in different places
• Use addition to check a subtraction answer

Details

Grade level

Grade 1

Subject

Math · Subtraction

Standard

CCSS 1.OA.8

Pages

1

Format

PDF · US Letter and A4 included

License

Free for classroom use · Attribution appreciated

Last updated

September 26, 2026