What is the difference between carrying and regrouping?

There is none. They are two names for the same step. Regrouping describes what happens to the number (10 ones become 1 ten), and carrying describes writing that 1 at the top of the next column.

When do you need to regroup in addition?

Whenever a column adds up to 10 or more. In 46 + 27 the ones make 6 + 7 = 13, so you regroup. In 46 + 23 they make 9, so you don't.

Do you add from right to left or left to right?

With the column method, right to left, ones first, so any carry is ready before you add the next column. Mental strategies such as partial sums often go left to right, and that is fine too.

Yes. When you add three or more numbers, a column can make 20 or more. In 27 + 38 + 19 the ones make 24, so you write 4 and carry 2.

What grade learns addition with regrouping?

In the US, grade 1 meets making a new ten, grade 2 adds two- and three-digit numbers with regrouping, and grade 4 uses the standard algorithm for bigger numbers. In England, column addition is formally taught from Year 3.

Is there a free addition with regrouping worksheet with answers?

Yes. Use the Print a worksheet button on this page. Each worksheet is freshly made, and the answer key can show answers only or answers with worked steps.

Grades 2 to 4 (Years 3 to 5 in England)

Addition with regrouping: carrying, step by step

Here is how addition with regrouping works, from 2 digit addition with regrouping to three- and four-digit sums, and why carrying the 1 makes sense. Try the free practice set below, then print a fresh worksheet with an answer key.

The method, step by step

Write the numbers in columns, with ones under ones, tens under tens and hundreds under hundreds.
Add the ones column first.
If the ones make 10 or more, write the ones digit and carry 1 ten to the top of the tens column.
Add the tens column, including the carried 1, and regroup again if it makes 10 or more.
Keep going left one column at a time, then check the answer with an estimate.

CCSS 2.NBT.B.5CCSS 2.NBT.B.9CCSS 2.NBT.B.7CCSS 3.NBT.A.2CCSS 4.NBT.B.4England: Y2 Addition and subtractionEngland: Y3 Addition and subtractionEngland: Y4 Addition and subtraction

Worked example

47 + 38 = ?

Line up the numbers: 47 on top and 38 underneath, ones under ones.
Add the ones: 7 + 8 = 15.
15 ones is 1 ten and 5 ones. Write 5 in the ones place and carry 1 to the tens column.
Add the tens: 4 + 3 + 1 = 8.
47 + 38 = 85.
Check: 47 is about 50 and 38 is about 40, and 50 + 40 = 90, which is close to 85.

Practice now

Question 1 of 100 correct

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What regrouping means

Our number system works in tens: 10 ones make a ten, 10 tens make a hundred, and each place can only hold a digit from 0 to 9. When a column adds up to 10 or more, it has too many, so 10 of them are swapped for 1 of the next place to the left. That swap is regrouping. Carrying the 1 is just the way we write the swap down. Teachers often say regrouping, older books say carrying, the Common Core standards call it composing a ten, and in England you may also hear exchanging.

Base-ten blocks make this easy to see. 47 is 4 rods of ten and 7 single cubes; 38 is 3 rods and 8 cubes. Push them together and you have 7 rods and 15 cubes. 15 cubes is too many for one place, so snap 10 of them into a new rod: now there are 8 rods and 5 cubes, which is 85. The small 1 you write above the tens column is that new rod.

2 digit addition with regrouping, and bigger numbers

The method is the same whatever the size of the numbers. These examples get a little harder each time.

No regrouping needed: 34 + 25. The ones make 4 + 5 = 9 and the tens make 3 + 2 = 5, so the answer is 59. If the ones make less than 10, there is nothing to carry.
Regrouping the ones: 56 + 37. The ones make 6 + 7 = 13, so write 3 and carry 1. The tens make 5 + 3 + 1 = 9, so the answer is 93.
Regrouping the tens: 352 + 461. The ones make 2 + 1 = 3. The tens make 5 + 6 = 11, so write 1 and carry 1 hundred. The hundreds make 3 + 4 + 1 = 8, so the answer is 813.
Regrouping twice: 485 + 228. The ones make 5 + 8 = 13, carry 1. The tens make 8 + 2 + 1 = 11, carry 1. The hundreds make 4 + 2 + 1 = 7, so the answer is 713.
Four digits: 2575 + 2495. The ones make 10, so write 0 and carry 1. The tens make 7 + 9 + 1 = 17, write 7 and carry 1. The hundreds make 5 + 4 + 1 = 10, write 0 and carry 1. The thousands make 2 + 2 + 1 = 5, so the answer is 5070.

When you add three numbers, a column can make 20 or more, and then you carry 2. In 27 + 38 + 19 the ones make 7 + 8 + 9 = 24, so write 4 and carry 2. The tens make 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 8, so the answer is 84.

Other ways to add with regrouping

Partial sums add the tens and the ones separately, then put them together. For 56 + 37, the tens make 50 + 30 = 80, the ones make 6 + 7 = 13, and 80 + 13 = 93. It is a good place to start, because the new ten sits in plain sight in the 13.

An open number line suits mental math. Start at 56, jump 30 to 86, then jump 4 to reach 90 and 3 more to reach 93. For bigger numbers the column method is quickest, and it is the method shown in the worked steps of the practice set below.

How it is taught in school

In the US, Common Core first meets regrouping in grade 1, where children add within 100 and see that adding two-digit numbers sometimes means making a new ten (1.NBT.C.4). Grade 2 adds fluently within 100 (2.NBT.B.5) and adds within 1000 using models and drawings, composing tens or hundreds when needed (2.NBT.B.7). Grade 3 adds fluently within 1000 (3.NBT.A.2), and grade 4 uses the standard algorithm for multi-digit numbers (4.NBT.B.4).

In England, Year 2 pupils add two two-digit numbers using objects, pictures and mental methods. Year 3 use the formal written method of columnar addition with numbers up to three digits, and Year 4 extend it to four digits.

How parents can help

Use real objects. Swapping 10 pennies for a dime is regrouping you can hold in your hand.
Before each sum, ask: will the ones make a new ten? Spotting it first prevents forgotten carries.
Use squared paper so each digit stays in its column.
Ask for an estimate first. 485 + 228 is about 500 + 200 = 700, so 713 is sensible and 613 is not.
Print a fresh worksheet, let your child mark it with the answer key, and read the worked steps together for any they missed.

Common mistakes

Forgetting to carry: 47 + 38 = 75. The 15 ones made a new ten that was never added. An estimate of about 90 shows 75 is too small.
Writing both digits in the ones place: 47 + 38 = 715. Only one digit fits in each place, so the 1 ten must move to the tens column.
Carrying when there is nothing to carry, such as writing a 1 above the tens in 34 + 25, where the ones only make 9.
Lining the numbers up from the left. In 352 + 46 the 6 goes under the 2, not under the 5; the answer is 398.
Dropping the last carry: 2575 + 2495 written as 4070 because the 1 carried into the thousands was forgotten.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between carrying and regrouping?: There is none. They are two names for the same step. Regrouping describes what happens to the number (10 ones become 1 ten), and carrying describes writing that 1 at the top of the next column.
When do you need to regroup in addition?: Whenever a column adds up to 10 or more. In 46 + 27 the ones make 6 + 7 = 13, so you regroup. In 46 + 23 they make 9, so you don't.
Do you add from right to left or left to right?: With the column method, right to left, ones first, so any carry is ready before you add the next column. Mental strategies such as partial sums often go left to right, and that is fine too.
Can you carry a 2?: Yes. When you add three or more numbers, a column can make 20 or more. In 27 + 38 + 19 the ones make 24, so you write 4 and carry 2.
What grade learns addition with regrouping?: In the US, grade 1 meets making a new ten, grade 2 adds two- and three-digit numbers with regrouping, and grade 4 uses the standard algorithm for bigger numbers. In England, column addition is formally taught from Year 3.
Is there a free addition with regrouping worksheet with answers?: Yes. Use the Print a worksheet button on this page. Each worksheet is freshly made, and the answer key can show answers only or answers with worked steps.

Updated November 1, 2026.

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