K.CC.7: Compare Two Written Numbers
Also written as K.CC.C.7 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.C.7 · Cluster: Compare numbers.
The Official Wording
Compare two numbers between 1 and 10 presented as written numerals.
Common Core State Standards, Kindergarten, Counting & Cardinality · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026
What K.CC.7 Means in Plain English
Kindergartners see the numerals 8 and 3 on two cards, no objects anywhere, and say that 8 is more. To do that they have to know what each numeral stands for and that numbers later in the count are bigger. Many children check with fingers or a number line.
This is the abstract end of comparing: K.CC.6 compared piles of objects, and now the numerals alone carry the meaning. The symbols >, = and < are not expected yet. They arrive in 1st grade with two-digit numbers (1.NBT.3), where tens are compared before ones.
K.CC.7 I Can Statements
- I can look at two numbers and say which is bigger.
- I can say which of two numbers is smaller.
- I can tell when two numbers are the same.
K.CC.7 Worked Example
Two number cards compared three ways: by the count, on a number line, and with fingers, which is how most five-year-olds check.
Two cards show 8 and 3. Which number is more?
- Read both numerals out loud so the names are in the air.8 and 3
- Count from 1 and listen for which one comes first. Three comes first, so three is smaller.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Find both on a number line. The one farther right is more.3 is left, 8 is right
- Check with fingers: eight fingers is more fingers than three.8 fingers, 3 fingers
Check it: Count on from 3 to reach 8: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. You had to go up, so 8 is the bigger number.
Common Mistakes with K.CC.7
Bigger-looking numeral wins
A card with a large 3 printed on it called more than a small 8
Try this: Build both numbers with cubes next to the cards, then ask again which is more: the towers settle it.
Confusing 6 and 9
“9 is less than 6” because the 9 was read as a 6
Try this: Have the child read each numeral aloud and show it on fingers before comparing, so misreads get caught first.
Guessing without a strategy
A quick “5!” for “which is more, 5 or 7?”, then “7!” when asked again
Try this: Teach one check to use every time: find both numbers on the number line and point to the one farther right.
Where K.CC.7 Fits
Practice K.CC.7
Quick Check
- Which is more, 4 or 9?
- Which is less, 6 or 2?
- Noor has the card 7 and Eli has the card 10. Whose card shows the bigger number?