Subtraction Word Problems Worksheet for Grade 1

About this worksheet

Four short stories, each with a picture and a place to write the number sentence and the answer. Mia gives away crayons, ducks fly off the pond, Sam uses some stickers, and the last one asks how many more apples Ben has than Kim.

That last story matters. Taking away is the easy kind of subtraction story, and comparing (how many more?) is the kind first graders find hardest, so it is worth reading together.

Writing the number sentence before solving it builds the habit of turning words into math, which is the real skill behind every word problem.

What students will practice

• Solve subtraction word problems within 20
• Write a number sentence from a story
• Answer a how many more question

Details

Grade level

Grade 1

Subject

Math · Subtraction

Standard

CCSS 1.OA.1

Pages

1

Format

PDF · US Letter and A4 included

License

Free for classroom use · Attribution appreciated

Last updated

September 26, 2026