Super Awesome Math

Column Addition Worksheets

Vertical multi-digit addition · Grades 2–3

Vertical (column) addition of 2-, 3- or 4-digit numbers laid out on a notebook grid, one digit per cell, so children practise aligning place values and carrying. The “prefer carrying” option generates problems that need at least one carry.

Skills: column addition, carrying / regrouping, place value. Format: printable, randomized on every load.

Settings
  • Digits: 2-digit, 3-digit or 4-digit numbers
  • Columns: number of problem columns per page
  • Prefer problems that require carrying

Example problems
  • 348 + 275 = □
  • 67 + 9 = □
  • 1204 + 856 = □

How to use this worksheet
  1. Open https://superawesomemath.com/worksheets/column-addition.
  2. Adjust the settings above; they are saved in your browser.
  3. Press Regenerate for a new random set, then Print.

Frequently asked questions
What grade is column addition for?
Vertical addition with 2-digit numbers usually starts in grade 2, and 3- and 4-digit numbers follow in grade 3. The skill it depends on is place value: knowing that the 4 in 348 means four tens.
What is carrying, or regrouping?
When a column adds to more than 9, the tens part moves into the next column to the left. 8 + 6 is 14, so the 4 is written and the 1 is carried. Turning on “prefer carrying” makes sure most problems need this step.
Why print on a notebook grid?
One digit per square keeps the ones under the ones and the tens under the tens. Most early column-addition mistakes are misalignment rather than arithmetic, and the grid removes that source of error.

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