Common Core Math2nd GradeNumbers in Base Ten

2.NBT.4: Compare Three-Digit Numbers

Also written as 2.NBT.A.4 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.4 · Cluster: Understand place value.

Make a Comparing Worksheet All 26 2nd Grade Math Standards

The Official Wording

Compare two three-digit numbers based on meanings of the hundreds, tens, and ones digits, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.

Common Core State Standards, Grade 2, Number & Operations in Base Ten · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026

What 2.NBT.4 Means in Plain English

Second graders put two three-digit numbers side by side, 538 and 541, and decide which is greater by reading left to right: same hundreds, then 3 tens against 4 tens, done. They record it as 538 < 541, and know the symbol’s open side faces the bigger number.

The reasoning is the standard, not the symbol: a student who says “8 is bigger than 1, so 538 wins” has not compared place values. In 3rd grade comparing feeds rounding to the nearest 10 or 100 (3.NBT.1), and 4th grade compares numbers to a million (4.NBT.2).

2.NBT.4 I Can Statements

I can compare two three-digit numbers by their hundreds, tens and ones.
I can write a comparison with >, = or <.
I can explain why 541 is greater than 538.

2.NBT.4 Worked Example

Two numbers that share their hundreds and trade places in the tens and ones, so the order of comparing actually matters.

Problem

Which is greater, 538 or 541? Write the comparison with <, > or =.

538 and 541, one place at a time

Start on the left with the hundreds, because hundreds are worth the most. Both have 5 hundreds, so no decision yet.538: 5 hundreds, 541: 5 hundreds
Move to the tens. 3 tens is 30 and 4 tens is 40, and 30 is less than 40. That settles it.3 tens < 4 tens
The ones do not matter once the tens differ. The 8 is bigger than the 1, but 8 ones cannot make up for a missing ten.538 < 541
Read the sentence both ways to be sure it says what you mean.538 is less than 541, and 541 > 538

Answer538 < 541

Check it: Count on from 538: 539, 540, 541. You reach 541 by going up, so 541 is greater, and the open side of the symbol faces it.

Common Mistakes with 2.NBT.4

Comparing from the ones

538 > 541 because 8 is bigger than 1

Try this: Lay both numbers on a place value chart and compare left to right, stopping at the first column that differs.

Symbol facing the wrong way

Knows 541 is greater but writes 541 < 538

Try this: Read the sentence from left to right, 541 is greater than 538, and check that the open side of the symbol faces the bigger number.

Big digits beat a big place

598 > 600 because 5, 9 and 8 are bigger than 6, 0 and 0

Try this: Go back to the hundreds: 6 hundreds beats 5 hundreds no matter what sits in the tens and ones, so 600 > 598.

Where 2.NBT.4 Fits

Comes Before1.NBT.3Compare two two-digit numbers with >, = and <.

Alongside2.NBT.1What each digit of a three-digit number is worth.2.NBT.3Read and write numbers to 1,000 three ways.

Comes Next3.NBT.1Round to the nearest 10 or 100, which starts with knowing which hundreds a number sits between.4.NBT.2Compare multi-digit numbers with >, = and <.

Practice 2.NBT.4

Math Worksheet GeneratorFree ToolPairs of three-digit numbers with a blank between them for the symbol, including pairs that share their hundreds, with an answer key.Grade 2Compare numbersAnswer key

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Quick Check

Compare 672 and 627 with <, > or =.
672 > 627 (same hundreds, and 7 tens is more than 2 tens)
Which is less, 309 or 390? How do you know?
309 is less: both have 3 hundreds, and 0 tens is less than 9 tens, so 309 < 390
Mr. Ortiz’s class collected 485 cans and Ms. Lee’s class collected 458. Write a comparison that shows which class collected more.
485 > 458, so Mr. Ortiz’s class collected more

2.NBT.4: Other Names

2.NBT.42.NBT.A.4CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.4