Subtracting Decimals
Simply Done w/ 5+ Examples!

How to subtract decimals?

Jenn, Founder Calcworkshop^®, 15+ Years Experience (Licensed & Certified Teacher)

Do you remember the math basics?

Don’t worry, that’s exactly what we’re going to do today.

With just 3 simple steps, you’ll be subtracting decimals with ease.

Let’s jump in!

When subtracting decimals, order matters!

Minuend And Subtrahend Defined in Math

And don’t forget…

…whenever we subtract, either with whole numbers or decimals, we need to make sure that subtract the smaller number from the bigger number.

Step-by-Step Example

So, now we’re ready for the three easy steps for subtracting decimals, supposing we use the following problem: 68.75 – 32.4

Just like we did when we learned with adding decimals, we write down the two numbers, one under the other, making sure the decimal points are lined up.


Lining Up Decimal Points For Subtraction


If necessary, we put in zero placeholders after the decimal point so that the numbers have the same size (same number of digits).


Placeholder Zero In Subtraction

Subtract, borrowing when needed, and bring the decimal point straight down for the answer.


Decimal Subtraction

That’s it.

Subtracting decimals is just like subtracting whole numbers, except we have to line up our decimal places as noted by SplashLearn.

4th & 5th Grade Decimals

As you progress through school, each grade will expand upon the topic of decimal subtraction. So in fourth and fifth grade, you will be subtracting either two, one-digit numbers or two, two-digit decimal numbers.

Single Digit Decimal Subtraction

7th & 8th Grade Decimals

Whereas, in sixth and seventh grade, you will be subtracting multi-digit decimals, as well as how to subtract decimals from whole numbers.

Multi-Digit Subtraction of a Decimal

The great thing is that if you know how to subtract, you can subtract decimals of any size, as the technique is always the same.

But there’s more!

We’re even going to look at how to subtract three decimals!

Subtraction Words

And lastly, we’ll investigate some keywords or phrases that tell us we need to “subtract,” like:

1. Difference
2. Less
3. Minus
4. etc

as they will help us when working through word problems involving decimals in a future lesson.

Worksheet (PDF) — Hands on Practice

It’s all fun and games until you try it on your own. So give these worksheets a go — improve your knowledge!

Practice Problems
Step-by-Step Solutions

This video lesson will show you everything you need to know about subtracting decimals, no matter what grade you are in.

Let’s jump right in!

Subtracting Decimals – Lesson & Examples (Video)

26 min

• Introduction to Video: Subtracting Decimals
• 00:00:42 – How to subtract Decimals? Three Easy Steps!

• 00:05:35 – Find the difference (Examples #1-2)
• 00:10:28 – Subtract the decimals (Examples #3-6)
• 00:21:59 – What are the key words that tell use to “subtract”?
• Practice Problems with Step-by-Step Solutions
• Chapter Tests with Video Solutions