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decimals

Decimal place value

Read digits after the decimal point as tenths, hundredths and thousandths.

Quick answer

Decimal place value means understanding how each digit in a decimal number shows a different amount – tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. You can think of decimal numbers like money or pizza slices, where each part is smaller than the last.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to read and say decimal numbers correctly, and know what each digit means in terms of tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. Success signs:
  • You can say a decimal number like 0.62 out loud correctly.
  • You can match a decimal number to a picture of shaded parts.
  • You can explain how 0.3 is the same as 3 tenths.
  • You can compare two decimal numbers and say which is bigger.

Why this matters

Decimal place value helps you understand money, measurements, and many things you see every day. When you buy something that costs £2.99, or measure your height as 1.45 metres, you're using decimal numbers. Understanding decimal place value helps you:
  • Compare prices
  • Measure things accurately
  • Work with money
  • Understand fractions and percentages

How it works

Decimal numbers are like fractions, but they use a point (called a decimal point) to separate the whole number from the parts. Each position after the decimal point has a special name:
  • First digit after the decimal point = tenths
  • Second digit = hundredths
  • Third digit = thousandths
Let’s think of it like sharing pizza:
  • If you cut a pizza into 10 equal slices, each slice is 1 tenth of the pizza
  • If you cut it into 100 slices, each slice is 1 hundredth
  • If you cut it into 1000 slices, each slice is 1 thousandth

Examples you can see

Let’s look at the decimal number 0.743. Step 1: Start with the decimal point. Everything to the left is the whole number (in this case, 0). Step 2: The first digit after the point is 7. This is 7 tenths. Step 3: The second digit is 4. This is 4 hundredths. Step 4: The third digit is 3. This is 3 thousandths. So, 0.743 means 7 tenths + 4 hundredths + 3 thousandths. Here’s a visual way to think about it:
Place Digit Value
Tenths 7 7/10
Hundredths 4 4/100
Thousandths 3 3/1000

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Decimal Treasure Hunt You are a treasure hunter looking for a hidden chest. The map says the chest is buried at a spot marked with a decimal number. You must read the number and find the right place. The first clue says: "The treasure is at 0.34 metres from the big tree." You need to:
  • Read the number 0.34
  • Find the tenths place (3)
  • Find the hundredths place (4)
  • Think: 3 tenths and 4 hundredths = 34 hundredths
Now, let’s try another one: Clue 2: "The second clue is at 0.675 metres from the rock." What does this mean?
  • 6 tenths
  • 7 hundredths
  • 5 thousandths
Try to imagine walking 675 steps, but each step is 1 thousandth of a metre.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Saying "0.5" as "five tenths" instead of "five tenths"
    • Why it happens: Confusing the number with a whole number
    • Fix: Remember that 0.5 means 5 tenths, not 5 whole ones
  • Mistake: Thinking 0.4 is bigger than 0.6
    • Why it happens: Looking at the first digit only
    • Fix: Compare the tenths place first – 6 tenths is more than 4 tenths
  • Mistake: Counting the decimal point as a digit
    • Why it happens: Not understanding that the point separates whole and fractional parts
    • Fix: Remember: 0.25 has digits 2 and 5, not 3 digits

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help by:
  • Using everyday examples like money or measuring ingredients
  • Practicing reading decimals aloud together
  • Using visual aids like fraction strips or number lines
  • Encouraging your child to explain what each digit means
  • Being patient with mistakes – they are part of learning
Five-minute activities:
  1. Look at prices in a shop and read them as decimals
  2. Measure a cup of flour and talk about how much 0.5 is
  3. Use a number line to show 0.25, 0.5, 0.75
  4. Draw a 10x10 grid and shade parts to show decimals
  5. Play a game where you say a decimal and your child finds it on a number line

Practice questions

  1. What does 0.8 mean?
    • Answer: 8 tenths
  2. How do you say 0.42?
    • Answer: Forty-two hundredths
  3. Which is bigger: 0.3 or 0.27?
    • Answer: 0.3 (because 3 tenths is more than 2 tenths and 7 hundredths)
  4. What is 0.06 written as a fraction?
    • Answer: 6/100
  5. How many tenths are in 0.9?
    • Answer: 9 tenths

FAQ

What does decimal place value mean?

Decimal place value means each digit in a decimal number has a value based on its position. The first digit after the decimal point is tenths, the second is hundredths, and the third is thousandths.

How do you read decimals?

You read decimals by saying the digits followed by the place value. For example, 0.7 is "seven tenths", and 0.25 is "twenty-five hundredths".

Why is it important to know decimal place value?

It helps you understand money, measurements, and many real-life situations. It also prepares you for more advanced maths like percentages and fractions.

Can you have more than three decimal places?

Yes! You can have as many decimal places as you want. For example, 0.123456 has six decimal places.

How can I practice decimal place value at home?

You can use money, cooking, measuring, or drawing grids to practice. Try reading prices, measuring ingredients, or looking at maps that show distances in decimals.