This word problem generator opens on a sheet of 8 addition stories with its answer key. Choose another of the 41 sheet types, from subtraction within 20 to division with remainders, and press Make a new sheet for new numbers and names.
Read the full guide
Choose the sheet
Sheet type lists the stories by operation and number size. Problems sets how many go on the page: 4, 6 or 8, and 10 where the stories are short enough to fit. Each sheet holds one operation, one step a story.
Print it with the key
Print gives one page on Letter or A4 with Name, Date and Score lines. The answer key prints on its own page, and under each answer is its number sentence, such as 34 ÷ 7 = 4 R 6.
Get the same sheet back
Every sheet prints a short code in its footer. Share link opens that exact sheet on another device, and Copy as text pastes the problems into a document or a slide.
Have pupils underline the question before they touch the numbers. In a compare story nothing is taken away, and the question is the only clue.
On a remainder sheet, ask what the leftover means before anyone writes: left over, dropped, or one more van.
Press Make a new sheet twice and print both for neighbors: the same skill with different numbers.
Questions and answers
What grades are these word problems for?
Roughly grades 1 to 4. Sums and differences within 20 match Common Core grade 1 and within 100 grade 2. Multiplication and division facts match grade 3, multi-digit numbers and remainders grade 4. Schools differ, so go by the child.
Does every sheet come with an answer key?
Yes. With Answer key ticked, the key prints on a page of its own. The tool works each answer out from the numbers in the story and prints the number sentence under it, so a rounded-up answer of 5 vans can be traced.
What are start unknown and change unknown problems?
In a change unknown story the amount added or taken is missing: 42 blocks are in a jar, some more go in, and now there are 80. In a start unknown story the first amount is missing. Common Core asks for both from grade 1.
Can one sheet mix operations or have two-step problems?
No. Every sheet holds one operation and every story has one step. For mixed practice, print a short addition sheet and a short subtraction sheet of 4 problems each and hand them out together.
Will I get the same problems every time?
No. Make a new sheet deals new numbers, names and objects each time, and the answer key follows them. To bring one sheet back, use its share link.
All 41 sheet types
Addition word problems 7
Addition word problems in the thousands4-digit totals for column addition from a story: 2,053 + 1,077 = 3,130. No sum is larger than 9,000. Grade 4 in Common Core (4.NBT.4).
Addition word problems within 20The sheet this page opens on, with sums to 20. Uma picks up 6 blocks before lunch and 9 more after lunch. How many in all? 6 + 9 = 15. Grade 1 in Common Core (1.OA.1).
Addition word problems within 100Two 2-digit numbers, some needing regrouping and some not: 42 + 38 = 80, 40 + 27 = 67. The stories mix adding to a pile with putting two piles together. Grade 2 in Common Core (2.OA.1).
Addition word problems within 100: write the number sentenceUnder each story the sheet prints ___ + ___ = ___ in place of an answer line, so the pupil writes the whole equation. The key shows it filled in: 28 + 33 = 61.
Addition word problems within 1,0003-digit numbers with sums under 1,000: 229 + 183 = 412. Common Core asks for fluent adding within 1,000 in grade 3 (3.NBT.2).
Three-addend word problems within 100Three 2-digit amounts, counted on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday or held in three boxes: 17 + 18 + 10 = 45. The sum is never more than 100.
Three-addend word problems, sums to 20Three numbers to add in one story: Imani has 4 erasers, Eli has 4 and a friend has 2. 4 + 4 + 2 = 10. Grade 1 in Common Core (1.OA.2), which keeps the sum at 20 or less.
Show all 41 sheet types (34 more)
Subtraction word problems 7
Compare word problems within 20: how many more or fewer?Nothing is taken away. Uma has 19 blocks and Omar has 6 blocks. How many more does Uma have? 19 − 6 = 13. Some stories ask how many fewer. For pupils who subtract only when they read the words take away.
Subtraction word problems in the thousands4-digit numbers for column subtraction from a story: 5,323 − 1,167 = 4,156. Grade 4 in Common Core (4.NBT.4).
Subtraction word problems within 20Three kinds of story on one sheet: taking away (a shop has 16 blocks and sells 4 of them, 16 − 4 = 12), finding the other part, and comparing two amounts. Grade 1 in Common Core (1.OA.1).
Subtraction word problems within 1002-digit numbers, many needing regrouping, across take-away, other-part and compare stories: 70 − 54 = 16, 35 − 27 = 8. Grade 2 in Common Core (2.OA.1).
Subtraction word problems within 100: write the number sentenceEach story is followed by ___ − ___ = ___ for the pupil to fill in. The key shows the finished sentence: 70 − 54 = 16. The habit to build is writing the larger amount first.
Subtraction word problems within 1,0003-digit numbers: a shop has 447 blocks and sells 132 of them. 447 − 132 = 315. Common Core asks for fluent subtracting within 1,000 in grade 3 (3.NBT.2).
Take-apart word problems within 20: find the other partA whole and one part are given: Uma has 19 blocks, 6 of them are red and the rest are blue. How many are blue? 19 − 6 = 13. It opens with 6 problems, because the story bank has 3 stories of this kind.
Multiplication word problems 7
Array word problems: rows with the same number in eachImani plants seeds in 4 rows with 5 seeds in each row. 4 × 5 = 20. Have pupils sketch the rows before they multiply. It opens with 6 problems, because the story bank has 3 array stories.
Equal groups word problems, facts to 10 × 10Tins, boxes and baskets with the same number in each: Uma has 9 tins with 8 blocks in each tin. 9 × 8 = 72. It opens with 6 problems, because the story bank has 3 equal-groups stories.
Multiplication word problems, 2, 5 and 10 times tablesOne factor is always 2, 5 or 10: Imani fills 10 boxes and each box holds 2 erasers. 10 × 2 = 20. A first sheet of multiplication stories.
Multiplication word problems, 2-digit by 1-digitThere are 4 erasers in every box. How many erasers are in 49 boxes? 49 × 4 = 196. Every story is about equal groups. Grade 4 in Common Core (4.NBT.5).
Multiplication word problems, 2-digit by 2-digitImani fills 41 boxes and each box holds 13 erasers. 41 × 13 = 533. Equal groups and rows are mixed. Common Core asks grade 4 to multiply two 2-digit numbers (4.NBT.5).
Multiplication word problems, 3-digit by 1-digitThere are 7 erasers in every box. How many erasers are in 312 boxes? 312 × 7 = 2,184. Grade 4 in Common Core (4.NBT.5).
Multiplication word problems, facts to 10 × 10Both factors run from 2 to 10, and equal-groups stories are mixed with rows: 9 × 8 = 72. Grade 3 in Common Core (3.OA.3), which names equal groups and arrays.
Division word problems, no remainder 5
Division word problems, 2-digit by 1-digit, no remainderAnswers from 11 to 48 with nothing left over: 46 ÷ 2 = 23, 77 ÷ 7 = 11. A step between the division facts and long division.
Division word problems, 3-digit by 1-digit, no remainderA 3-digit number divided by 3 to 9, never with a remainder: 224 ÷ 4 = 56, 380 ÷ 5 = 76. Grade 4 in Common Core (4.NBT.6).
Division word problems, facts to 100 ÷ 10Every answer is a times-table fact from 2 to 10 with nothing left over: 72 ÷ 9 = 8. Sharing and grouping stories are mixed. Grade 3 in Common Core (3.OA.3).
Grouping word problems: how many groups?The size of a group is known and the number of groups is not: Uma has 72 blocks and puts 9 in each tin. 72 ÷ 9 = 8 tins. It is the sharing question asked the other way round.
Sharing word problems: how many in each group?The number of groups is known and the size of each is not: Uma shares 72 blocks equally among 9 tins. 72 ÷ 9 = 8 in each tin. Common Core 3.OA.2 calls this the number of objects in each share.
Division word problems with remainders 5
Division word problems with remaindersEvery division leaves a remainder, and the story decides what to do with it. 26 pupils go on a trip and one van seats 8 pupils: 26 ÷ 8 = 3 R 2, so 4 vans are needed. All three readings below are mixed on this sheet.
Division word problems with remainders, 3-digit by 1-digit353 ÷ 4 = 88 R 1 and 302 ÷ 5 = 60 R 2, with the three readings of the remainder mixed. Common Core asks grade 4 to interpret remainders (4.OA.3) and to divide by a 1-digit number (4.NBT.6).
Remainder word problems: how many are left over?The answer is the remainder itself: 34 blocks are shared equally among 7 tins. 34 ÷ 7 = 4 R 6, so 6 blocks are left over.
Remainder word problems: how many full groups?The remainder is dropped: Uma cuts a ribbon of 34 inches into pieces of 7 inches. 34 ÷ 7 = 4 R 6, so there are 4 whole pieces.
Remainder word problems: round up to the next wholeThe remainder pushes the answer up by one: 34 pupils go on a trip and one van seats 7 pupils. 34 ÷ 7 = 4 R 6, so 5 vans are needed.
Start unknown, change unknown and compare 10
Add-to word problems within 20, unknown in any positionAdd-to stories with the missing number in all three places: the total, the amount added, or the amount at first. Uma has some blocks, Omar gives Uma 9 more, and now Uma has 15: 6 + 9 = 15. Common Core 1.OA.1 asks for unknowns in all positions.
Add-to word problems within 100, unknown in any positionThe grade 2 step: the same three questions with 2-digit numbers. Uma has some blocks, Omar gives Uma 38 more, and now Uma has 80: 42 + 38 = 80. Common Core 2.OA.1.
Change unknown within 100: how many were added?There are 42 blocks in a jar. Uma drops in some more, and now there are 80. How many did Uma drop in? The answer is 38, and the key prints 42 + 38 = 80. It opens with 6 problems, because the story bank has 2 stories of this kind.
Change unknown within 100: how many were taken away?There are 70 blocks in a box. Uma takes some out, and 16 are left. How many did Uma take out? The answer is 54, and the key prints 70 − 54 = 16.
Compare word problems within 100: more, fewer, bigger, smallerCompare stories with the unknown in any place: the difference, the bigger amount or the smaller amount. Omar has 54 blocks and Uma has 16 more than Omar. How many does Uma have? 70 − 54 = 16, so 70.
Put-together word problems within 100: find the total or a partTwo parts and a total, with no action in the story. Some ask for the total and some for a part: Uma and Omar have 80 blocks together, and Omar has 38 of them. How many does Uma have? 42 + 38 = 80.
Start unknown within 100: how many before some were added?Some blocks are in a bag. Uma adds 38 more, and then there are 80. How many were in the bag at first? The answer is 42, from 42 + 38 = 80. Pupils often add the two numbers they see, so check that first.
Start unknown within 100: how many before some were taken?Some blocks are in a box. Uma takes 54 out, and 16 are left. How many were in the box at first? The answer is 70, from 70 − 54 = 16. A take-away story that is solved by adding.
Take-from word problems within 20, unknown in any positionTake-away stories that ask for what is left, for how many were taken, or for how many there were at first. Uma has some blocks, gives 4 to Omar and has 12 left: 16 − 4 = 12.
Take-from word problems within 100, unknown in any positionResult, change and start questions with 2-digit numbers. Uma has some blocks, gives 54 to Omar and has 16 left. How many at first? 70 − 54 = 16. Common Core 2.OA.1.
How this list was compiled: Sheet types, story wording and descriptions are own work. The tool deals the numbers of every problem and works each answer out from them. On 2026-09-20, 8,160 problems from all 41 sheet types were dealt and every answer and key line was worked again: 0 wrong. The story kinds (add to, take from, put together and take apart, compare, equal groups, arrays) follow Table 1 and Table 2 of the glossary of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, and the grade notes follow standards 1.OA.1, 1.OA.2, 2.OA.1, 3.OA.2, 3.OA.3, 3.NBT.2, 4.OA.3, 4.NBT.4, 4.NBT.5 and 4.NBT.6, all read on 2026-09-20 in the California Department of Education copy, https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/ccssmathstandardaug2013.pdf . The sheets follow no single curriculum, and naming a standard does not mean anyone has approved a sheet. Licence: own work