A ten frame is a rectangle of 2 rows and 5 boxes that holds exactly ten counters. It is one of the best tools for building number sense in preschool, kindergarten and first grade, because children can see a number at a glance: 7 is “a full row of 5 and 2 more”, and 7 also “needs 3 more to make 10”. Use the generator above to print free printable ten frames: blank ten frames, a five frame for preschool and double ten frames for numbers to 20, ten frame cards for games, and ten frame worksheets for counting, showing numbers, making 10, addition and subtraction, all with answer keys.
Interactive ten frame
Tap the boxes to add or remove counters and see how many more you need to make 10. Switch to red or yellow counters to show number pairs, like 6 red and 4 yellow. Then play the Quick look game: the frame flashes for a moment and then hides. How many counters did you see?
Ready-to-print ten frames (PDF)
Each card below is a ready PDF, answer keys included. Use Customize to swap the frame type, the dot colors, the number of problems or the paper size.
How to use ten frames
- Fill from the top left. Put counters in the top row from left to right, then start the bottom row. Filling the same way every time lets children recognize a number without counting every dot.
- Look for the five. Any number from 6 to 10 is a full top row plus some more. Seeing “5 and 3” makes 8 instantly, which is called subitizing.
- Count the empty boxes. The empty spaces show how many more make 10. With 7 counters there are 3 empty boxes, so 7 + 3 = 10. These pairs are the number bonds to 10.
- Use two colors for addition. 4 red counters and 3 yellow counters show 4 + 3 = 7 without writing a single number.
- Use two frames for teen numbers. Two frames side by side show 14 as one full ten and 4 ones, the first step toward place value.
Five frame, ten frame or double ten frame?
| Frame | Numbers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Five frame | 0 to 5 | Preschool: counting small groups, one-to-one matching, number bonds to 5 |
| Ten frame | 0 to 10 | Kindergarten: counting to 10, making 10, addition and subtraction within 10 |
| Double ten frame | 0 to 20 | Kindergarten and grade 1: teen numbers as a ten and some ones, addition within 20, “make a ten” strategy |
Ten frame worksheets
- How many? Count the dots in each frame and write the number. Great for number recognition from 1 to 10 or 11 to 20.
- Show the number: read the number and draw that many dots. The answer key shows the standard way to fill the frame.
- Make 10: how many more to fill the frame? Children complete the number sentence, such as 6 + ☐ = 10. On a five frame it becomes “Make 5”, and with two frames “Make 20”.
- Addition: two colors of dots show the two parts, and children write the total. The 20-box version shows each addend in its own frame, perfect for practicing the make-a-ten strategy.
- Subtraction: some dots are crossed out, and children count what is left. Taking away from a full row of 5 is a lovely way to see 10 − 3.
Ten frame games and activities
- Quick look (flash cards): hold up a dot card for two seconds, then hide it. Ask “How many? How did you see it?” Children soon say “5 and 2 more” instead of counting one by one. Seeing a small amount without counting is called subitizing, and ten frames train it fast.
- Make 10 match: lay out the cards face up and find pairs that make 10, such as 3 and 7.
- Ten frame war: each player flips a card, and the bigger number wins both cards. Use the 0 to 20 cards for teen numbers.
- Roll and fill: roll a die and add that many counters to a blank ten frame. The first player to fill the frame exactly wins.
- Snack math: fill a laminated blank frame with crackers or cereal, then eat some and say the subtraction sentence.
- One more, one less: show a frame, then ask what one more or one less would look like.
Why ten frames work
Our number system is built on tens, so seeing numbers in relation to 5 and 10 gives children a mental picture they can use for years. Ten frames help children move from counting every object to recognizing groups, they make the combinations that make 10 visible, and they prepare children for place value (10 ones make 1 ten) and for strategies like “make a ten” (8 + 5 is 8 + 2 + 3). Ten frames match the kindergarten and grade 1 math standards for counting, composing and decomposing numbers to 10 (for example K.OA.A.4, finding the number that makes 10), and adding and subtracting within 20.
Frequently asked questions
10 quick answers
What is a ten frame?
A ten frame is a 2 by 5 grid of boxes. Children place counters or draw dots in the boxes to show numbers from 0 to 10. The structure makes it easy to see how far a number is from 5 and from 10.
How do you fill a ten frame?
Start in the top left box and fill the top row from left to right, then fill the bottom row from left to right. Filling in the same order every time makes numbers easy to recognize.
What is a double ten frame?
It is two ten frames placed together, holding 20 counters. It shows teen numbers as one full ten plus some ones, for example 16 is a full frame and 6 more.
What is a five frame?
A five frame is a single row of 5 boxes. It is ideal for preschoolers who are learning to count to 5 and for recognizing small groups at a glance.
What are ten frame cards used for?
These cards show a number of dots on a frame. Teachers use them as flash cards for quick looks, for matching games, for comparing numbers, and for finding pairs that make 10.
What grade uses ten frames?
Ten frames are used most in preschool, kindergarten and first grade. Five frames suit preschool, ten frames suit kindergarten, and double ten frames support addition and subtraction within 20 in grade 1.
How do ten frames help with addition?
Children show each addend with a different color and count the total. They can also see the “make a ten” strategy: for 9 + 4, move one counter to fill the first frame, making 10 + 3.
How do you subtract with a ten frame?
Show the first number with counters, then remove or cross out the number you take away. The counters left are the answer. Our subtraction worksheets cross out the dots from the end of the frame.
Can I print a blank ten frame?
Yes. Choose Blank frames in the generator and pick large, medium or small frames. Large blank ten frames are perfect for real counters, and small ones fit many on a page.
Are these ten frame printables free?
Yes. Every frame, card set and worksheet costs nothing to print, and teachers can copy them for a whole class. Colored dots look great, while the black and white option saves ink, on either US Letter or A4.
More early math printables
- Number line for counting on, adding and subtracting.
- Counting worksheets for preschool and kindergarten.
- Addition worksheets and subtraction worksheets with facts to 10 and 20.
- Hundreds chart to see numbers beyond 20 in rows of ten.
- Kindergarten math worksheets gathered by topic.
- Number tracing worksheets to practice writing the numbers.