Comparing Numbers to 20 Worksheets

About these worksheets

Kindergarten children first compare groups of objects: which group has more? Then they compare written numbers from 1 to 10. These sheets start with pictures, move to numbers to 10 and then to 20, and finish with putting four numbers in order.

• Compare the pictures: count two groups and write >, < or =.
• Numbers to 10 and 20: 20 comparisons per page.
• Ordering: put four numbers from least to greatest.

Comparing numbers to 20 worksheets: what is in the set

There are 7 comparing numbers to 20 worksheets on this page, and every one has an answer key except for any cut-out games. The first two sets compare groups of pictures, the next three compare written numbers to 10 and to 20, and the last two order four numbers.

Comparing numbers to 20: how many pairs are there?

When children are comparing numbers to 20, there are 441 ordered pairs of numbers from 0 to 20. In exactly one pair out of 21 the numbers are equal. This table shows how the pairs divide for three ranges of numbers:

Of all pairs from 0 to 20, only 4.8% are equal, so most of the 20 comparisons on each worksheet need a greater than or less than sign. Children should still meet the equals sign, because it is the one that is easiest to forget.

Greater than less than kindergarten: the language of comparing

Greater than less than kindergarten work starts with everyday words and moves to the signs. Children say “more” and “fewer” about groups of objects, and “greater” and “less” about numbers. The Common Core standards for kindergarten ask children to compare two groups of objects (K.CC.C.6) and to compare two written numbers from 1 to 10 (K.CC.C.7). The Common Core standards for kindergarten counting and cardinality describe both. This table shows how the words and signs fit together:

The signs are formally taught in grade 1, so a kindergarten class can use words only. The worksheets give the signs so that children who are ready can use them. Wikipedia’s article on inequality explains the signs for older readers.

Comparing numbers 1-10: all the pairs, by difference

For comparing numbers 1-10, there are 45 different pairs of numbers that are not equal. The difference between the two numbers tells how hard a pair is: numbers that differ by 1 or 2 need careful counting, and numbers that differ by 6 or more are easy to see. The table counts the pairs for each difference:

Half of the pairs differ by 4 or less. A worksheet that has only easy pairs does not make children count carefully, so the comparing numbers to 10 worksheet mixes close pairs with far ones.

More or less worksheets: four ways to compare 14 and 9

More or less worksheets can be solved in several ways. A child who knows more than one way can check their own work. These are the four strategies, with the comparison of 14 and 9 as the example:

Comparing teen numbers: look at the tens first

When children are comparing numbers to 20, the numbers 10 to 19 all have 1 ten, so only the ones decide. A single-digit number is always less than a teen number. Of the 45 pairs of different teen numbers, each is decided by the ones digit alone. The table shows five examples and the place that decides:

Ordering numbers to 20: how many orders are there?

When ordering numbers to 20, children put four numbers from least to greatest, or from greatest to least. A set of four numbers can be arranged in 24 ways, so guessing is unlikely to work. The number of orders grows quickly:

A good strategy is to find the least number first, then the least of the numbers that are left. The six sets below show the numbers as they might appear on a worksheet, with the answer in both orders:

Common mistakes when comparing numbers to 20

Children make a small number of mistakes with comparing numbers. This table shows five of them and the right answer:

The most important idea is that a number is not its digits. In 12 the digit 1 is a ten, so 12 is more than 9 even though 9 is more than 1.

Comparing numbers to 20 word problems

Word problems ask children to compare real groups. Ask which group has more or fewer, and then write the sign:

Games and activities for comparing numbers to 20

Children learn comparing numbers to 20 best when they play with it. These games use things that are found at home or in a classroom:

• Which has more?: put two handfuls of counters on the table and ask which has more before counting
• Card war: each player turns a card from 1 to 10, and the player with the greater number wins both cards
• Alligator signs: make the sign with your arms like a mouth that opens towards the greater number
• Number line jump: stand on two numbers on a floor number line, and the one on the right is greater
• Dice duel: roll two dice each, add them, and compare the totals
• Order the lineup: give four children number cards and ask them to line up from least to greatest

Extra support and extra challenge with comparing numbers to 20

For children who need more support: use objects at first, and match them one to one. Keep the numbers within 10 until the child can compare without counting. Say the sentence in full: “nine is less than twelve”. Use the ten frame worksheets to show the numbers as filled spaces.

For children who need more challenge: ask for a number that is between two given numbers, such as one between 8 and 12, and for the number that is 3 greater than 14. Ask the child to explain why 9 is less than 12 although 9 is more than 1.

How to tell that a child is ready to move on from comparing numbers to 20

1. The child compares two groups of objects by matching, without counting.
2. The child says which of two numbers to 20 is greater, and can explain why.
3. The child reads the three signs and uses them with few mistakes.
4. The child puts four numbers in order from least to greatest.

When all four are true, move on to comparing 2 and 3 digit numbers, where the same idea is used for numbers with tens and hundreds.

A 20-minute lesson on comparing numbers to 20

A short lesson is the best way to introduce comparing numbers to 20. This 20-minute plan can be used in a classroom, at a tutoring session or at home, and it uses the worksheets at the end:

Where comparing numbers to 20 fits across the grades

No skill stands alone. This table shows what children learn before and after comparing numbers to 20, with the standard that goes with each step:

This page is the first step. When children can order numbers to 20, they are ready for numbers with tens and hundreds on the comparing 2 and 3 digit numbers page.

Helping at home with comparing numbers to 20

Parents do not need to be experts to help with comparing numbers to 20. These suggestions work well, and each takes only a few minutes:

• Ask “which has more?” at snack time: two piles of crackers, or two cups of blocks.
• Play a card game of “war” with the cards from 1 to 10, and say the signs aloud.
• Ask for the number between two numbers, such as the number between 12 and 14.
• Look for numbers to 20 on clocks, calendars and signs, and ask which is greater.
• Praise careful counting, and let the child correct their own mistakes with the answer key.

How to check progress in comparing numbers to 20

A teacher or parent can check progress with the answer key and a few questions. This table shows three common situations, what they mean and what to do next:

A five-day plan for comparing numbers to 20

Most children need about a week of short sessions for comparing numbers to 20. This plan follows the order of the worksheets on this page:

When the plan is complete, go to the comparing 2 and 3 digit numbers page. The whole sequence is on the comparing numbers worksheets page, and you can learn more about teen numbers on the counting to 20 page.