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Common Core Math4th GradeNumbers in Base Ten

4.NBT.4: Add and Subtract with the Standard Algorithm

Also written as 4.NBT.B.4 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.4 · Cluster: Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.

Make a 4.NBT.4 WorksheetAll 28 4th Grade Math Standards

The Official Wording

Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

Common Core State Standards, Grade 4, Number & Operations in Base Ten · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026

What 4.NBT.4 Means in Plain English

Fourth graders add and subtract multi-digit numbers in columns: line up the places, start with the ones, regroup when a column needs it. 3,568 + 2,795 = 6,363 takes three regroupings. Fluently means accurate and steady, without drawing every ten.

This is the first standard that names the standard algorithm, and the place-value strategies of 2nd and 3rd grade are why it makes sense. In 5th grade students multiply with the standard algorithm (5.NBT.5) and add and subtract decimals (5.NBT.7).

4.NBT.4 I Can Statements

  • I can add multi-digit numbers with the standard algorithm.
  • I can subtract multi-digit numbers, regrouping across zeros.
  • I can check a subtraction by adding.

4.NBT.4 Worked Example

Subtraction across zeros, the problem that shows whether students understand the algorithm or only follow it.

Problem

The library had 6,003 books and lent out 2,457 of them. How many books are still on the shelves?

6,003 − 2,457 in columns
  1. Line the numbers up by place and start with the ones. 3 − 7 needs a regroup, but the tens and hundreds hold 0.6,003 − 2,457
  2. Go to the thousands: 6 thousands becomes 5 thousands and 10 hundreds.5 | 10 | 0 | 3
  3. Pass one hundred down to the tens and one ten down to the ones.5 | 9 | 9 | 13
  4. Now subtract each column, ones first: 13 − 7, 9 − 5, 9 − 4 and 5 − 2.6, 4, 5, 3
  5. Read the digits from the thousands down.3,546
Answer3,546 books

Check it: Add back with the same algorithm: 3,546 + 2,457 = 6,003. The estimate agrees too: 6,000 − 2,500 = 3,500.

Common Mistakes with 4.NBT.4

Subtracting the smaller digit from the larger

6,003 − 2,457 = 4,454, from 7 − 3, 5 − 0, 4 − 0 and 6 − 2

Try this: Read each column as top minus bottom out loud. A smaller top digit is the signal to regroup, never to swap.

Regrouping without renaming the zeros

Takes 1 from the 6 to make 13 ones, then still subtracts 0 − 5 in the tens

Try this: Rename the whole top number before subtracting: 6,003 is 5 thousands, 9 hundreds, 9 tens and 13 ones. Then every column works.

Columns out of line

4,286 + 573 added with the 5 under the 4, giving 10,016

Try this: Line the numbers up from the right, ones under ones, on grid paper. Then estimate: about 4,300 + 600 is near 4,900.

Where 4.NBT.4 Fits

Comes Before2.NBT.7Add and subtract within 1000 with models, composing and decomposing tens and hundreds.3.NBT.2Add and subtract within 1000 fluently using place-value strategies.
Alongside4.NBT.3Round to estimate a sum or difference before computing.4.OA.3Solve multistep word problems where adding and subtracting are steps.
Comes Next5.NBT.5Multiply multi-digit whole numbers with the standard algorithm.5.NBT.7Add and subtract decimals to hundredths.

Practice 4.NBT.4

Subtraction Worksheet GeneratorFree ToolFour- and five-digit subtraction with regrouping, including zeros in the top number. Ask students to check three of the problems by adding.RegroupingAcross zerosAnswer key
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Addition Worksheet GeneratorFree ToolMulti-digit addition with regrouping in several places, like 3,568 + 2,795. A short daily set builds fluency without turning it into a race.4-digitRegroupingAnswer key
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Quick Check

  1. 4,768 + 3,457
  2. 50,000 − 18,762
  3. A stadium has 42,350 seats and 27,986 are filled. How many seats are empty?

4.NBT.4: Other Names

4.NBT.44.NBT.B.4CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.4

Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved. Official wording from the Common Core State Standards PDFs at corestandards.org, last checked October 14, 2026. The explanation, I can statements, example, mistakes and practice on this page are EMStudio’s own, written beside the official wording. They are not part of the standard.