Place value charts

Quick answer

Place value charts help you read and build numbers by showing how many ones, tens, hundreds, thousands and so on are in each number.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read and build any number using place value charts with ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands columns.

Success signs:

• You can say how many tens and ones are in a number like 34
• You can write a number when given the tens and ones
• You can use a chart to build numbers up to 1000
• You can explain why the position of a digit changes its value

Why this matters

Place value charts are like a roadmap for numbers. They help you understand that the same digit can mean different things depending on where it is in a number. This is important for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. When you grow up, you'll use place value to understand money, measurements, and even how to read big numbers in science or history!

Even in games, place value helps you score points, count your coins, or figure out how many lives you have left. It's a superpower that makes numbers easier to understand!

How it works

Place value charts show columns for each place value. The rightmost column is always ones, then tens, then hundreds, then thousands. Each column tells you how many of that place value there are in your number.

Let's take the number 247:

1. Look at the rightmost column – that's ones. The digit 7 is in the ones column, so there are 7 ones.
2. Move one column to the left – that's tens. The digit 4 is in the tens column, so there are 4 tens (or 40).
3. Move another column to the left – that's hundreds. The digit 2 is in the hundreds column, so there are 2 hundreds (or 200).
4. So 247 = 200 + 40 + 7

Examples you can see

Let's look at how to use a place value chart to build numbers:

This chart shows the number 352. That means:

• 3 hundreds = 300
• 5 tens = 50
• 2>

So 352 = 300 + 50 + 2

Try another one:

This chart shows 0 hundreds, 7 tens, and 9 ones. That's 79!

Notice how the 0 in the hundreds column doesn't change the value of the number – it just shows there are no hundreds.

Here's a real-world example: imagine you're counting your stickers.

• You have 137 stickers in total.
• Put them into a place value chart:

So 137 = 100 + 30 + 7. You have 1 hundred sticker packs, 3 tens (or 30 individual stickers), and 7 loose stickers.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Number Treasure Hunt!

You're going on a treasure hunt in a magical land. Each clue leads you to a number. You need to build the number using a place value chart to find the next clue.

First clue: "The number of golden coins in the chest is 200 + 30 + 5"

What number is that? Use your chart to find out!

So the number is 235!

Second clue: "The number of magic crystals is 4 tens and 7 ones"

What number is that? Use your chart to find out!

The number is 47!

Third clue: "The number of enchanted gems is 6 hundreds and 2 ones"

What number is that? Use your chart to find out!

The number is 602!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Confusing which column is tens and which is ones
• Why it happens: Starting from the left instead of the right
• Fix: Remember that the rightmost column is always ones, then tens, then hundreds

• Mistake: Forgetting to put a zero in a column when there are no digits
• Why it happens: Thinking that a blank column means no value
• Fix: Remember that a blank column means zero in that place value

• Mistake: Adding the digits instead of multiplying by the place value
• Why it happens: Not understanding that 4 in the tens column means 40, not 4
• Fix: Practice saying "4 tens = 40" instead of just "4"

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with place value charts is easy and fun!

5-minute practice ideas:

1. Use coins to build numbers: 3 tens and 5>
2. Count together using a chart: 2 hundreds, 4 tens, 7>
3. Play "What's the number?" game: You say "3 hundreds, 2 tens, 9 ones", child writes the number
4. Look at house numbers or prices in the shop – ask "How many tens are in this number?"
5. Draw a chart and have them fill in numbers from a dice roll

Watch out for:

• Confusion about which column is which
• Forgetting that a blank column means zero
• Thinking digits are the same as values

Remember: it's okay if they make mistakes – they're learning! Celebrate small wins like "You got the hundreds right!"

Practice questions

1. Fill in the chart for the number 426

   Hundreds	Tens	Ones
   4	2	6

2. What number is 3 hundreds, 7 tens, 1 one?

   Answer: 371

3. Fill in the chart for the number 509

   Hundreds	Tens	Ones
   5	0	9

4. What number is 0 hundreds, 8 tens, 3 ones?

   Answer: 83

5. Fill in the chart for the number 1000

   Thousands	Hundreds	Tens	Ones
   1	0	0	0

FAQ

What is a place value chart used for?

Place value charts help you understand how much each digit in a number is worth based on its position. They're great for reading large numbers and building numbers from parts.

Why do we start counting from the right side?

We start from the right because that's how we read numbers. The rightmost column is always the smallest unit – ones. Then we move left to tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on.

Can I use place value charts for big numbers?

Yes! You can add more columns for ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions, and even bigger numbers. Just keep moving left to show larger values.

How can I help my child practice at home?

Use everyday items like counters, coins, or blocks. Ask questions like "How many tens are in 23?" or "Can you build 45 using your chart?"

What if my child keeps mixing up tens and ones?

Practice with physical objects. Use 10 blocks to show one ten, and single blocks for ones. Make the connection clear: 1 ten = 10 ones. Keep practicing with simple numbers until it clicks.