Maths Library

Column Addition: Year 4 maths

This topic covers the formal vertical written method for adding multi-digit integers with carrying into tens, hundreds, and thousands. Worksheets focus on neat digit alignment, accurate place value recording, and multiple carries.

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What this covers

Column Addition is taught in Year 4 (age 8 to 9, KS2) as a topic to introduce. It sits in the Number strand.

Worked example

Calculate: 378 + 245 using column addition.

  1. Align digits by place value. Add ones: 8 + 5 = 13 (write 3, carry 1 ten).
  2. Add tens: 7 + 4 + 1 = 12 (write 2, carry 1 hundred).
  3. Add hundreds: 3 + 2 + 1 = 6. Result is 623.

Answer: 623

Difficulty scale

The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.

  1. Two 2-digit numbers with no regrouping
  2. Two 3-digit numbers with single regrouping in ones or tens
  3. Two 3-digit numbers with multiple regroupings
  4. Adding three 3-digit numbers or two 4-digit numbers with carrying
  5. Adding 5-digit or 6-digit numbers with carrying across multiple columns

Common mistakes

  • Writing two-digit column totals directly into the answer row without carrying
  • Forgetting to add the carried digit to the subsequent column

Curriculum links

Indicative matches to National Curriculum for England. Check wording and codes against the official document.

  • Add and subtract numbers with up to four digits using formal written methods of columnar addition and subtraction.

Sample sheet and answers

Six questions at the level's usual difficulty. Open the editor to change, add or regenerate any of them.

Column Addition

Year 4 maths

Qs
6
Marks
12
NameDateScore / 12
1.
5351 + 6023 =
[2]
2.
8556 + 4433 =
[2]
3.
2994 + 4134 =
[2]
4.
5373 + 2706 =
[2]
5.
2601 + 7016 =
[2]
6.
4440 + 9320 =
[2]

Answer key

  1. 11 374Add ones, tens, hundreds in turn, carrying when a column passes 9; 5351 + 6023 = 11 374
  2. 12 989Add ones, tens, hundreds in turn, carrying when a column passes 9; 8556 + 4433 = 12 989
  3. 7128Add ones, tens, hundreds in turn, carrying when a column passes 9; 2994 + 4134 = 7128
  4. 8079Add ones, tens, hundreds in turn, carrying when a column passes 9; 5373 + 2706 = 8079
  5. 9617Add ones, tens, hundreds in turn, carrying when a column passes 9; 2601 + 7016 = 9617
  6. 13 760Add ones, tens, hundreds in turn, carrying when a column passes 9; 4440 + 9320 = 13 760