K.CC.6: Compare Groups of Objects
Also written as K.CC.C.6 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.C.6 · Cluster: Compare numbers.
The Official Wording
Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
Common Core State Standards, Kindergarten, Counting & Cardinality · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026
What K.CC.6 Means in Plain English
Kindergartners see 7 red cubes and 5 blue cubes and say which group has more. Either line the cubes up in pairs and see which color has leftovers, or count both groups and compare 7 and 5. The words are more, fewer and the same.
Matching comes first because it works before counting is reliable. Counting takes over as sets get bigger. Comparing written numerals without any objects is the next standard (K.CC.7), and in 1st grade students compare two-digit numbers with the symbols >, = and < (1.NBT.3).
K.CC.6 I Can Statements
- I can match two groups one to one to see which has more.
- I can count two groups and say which has fewer.
- I can tell when two groups have the same number.
K.CC.6 Worked Example
Seven red cubes and five blue cubes, compared by matching first and then by counting, so both strategies in the standard get a turn.
There are 7 red cubes and 5 blue cubes. Does red have more, fewer or the same as blue?
- Line up the red cubes in a row.R R R R R R R
- Put one blue cube under each red cube until the blue cubes run out.B B B B B under the first five reds
- Look for leftovers. Two red cubes have no partner, so red has more and blue has fewer.2 reds left over
- Check by counting each group: seven comes after five in the count, so seven is more.7 red, 5 blue: 7 is more
Check it: Count on from 5 to 7: 6, 7. Two more numbers, two cubes left over. The matching and the counting agree.
Common Mistakes with K.CC.6
Judging by how much space the group takes
Five spread-out blue cubes called “more” than seven red cubes pushed close together
Try this: Push both groups into tight rows and pair them one to one before anyone answers which has more.
Counting both groups as one
7 red and 5 blue counted straight through as “12”
Try this: Count one color into a cup and say its number before touching the other color at all.
Fewer is a mystery word
Answers “more” correctly but freezes at “which group has fewer?”
Try this: Ask both questions about the same pair of groups every time, so fewer always shows up as the other side of more.
Where K.CC.6 Fits
Practice K.CC.6
Quick Check
- Group A has 6 apples. Group B has 9 apples. Which group has more?
- There are 4 red birds and 4 blue birds. Are there more red birds, fewer, or the same number?
- Jamal has 8 crackers and Priya has 3. Who has fewer crackers?