Subtraction Color by Number
Updated November 2026 · 39 free printables
Subtraction color-by-number worksheets: find the difference in each space, then color it by the answer.
Choose subtraction within 10, subtraction with numbers up to 20 (first grade) or two-digit subtraction with and without regrouping (second grade).
All 39 Subtraction Color by Number, One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection, with who it's best for and a coloring idea for each one. 12 of them belong to a smaller theme and are described there instead.
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1. Cat Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a cute kitten sitting by a fence with flowers, a cloud and a smiling sun. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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2. Dog Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a happy puppy with a red collar, a ball and its dog house. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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3. Unicorn Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a unicorn with a purple mane and a golden horn in front of a big rainbow. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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4. Dinosaur Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a friendly long-neck dinosaur next to a smoking volcano and a palm tree. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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5. Butterfly Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a big butterfly with spotted wings fluttering over a flower garden. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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6. House Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a cozy house with a red roof, a chimney, a tree and a sunny sky. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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7. Car Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a red car driving on the road past green trees on a sunny day. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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8. Snowman Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Christmas Color by Number
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9. Christmas Tree Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Christmas Color by Number
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10. Pumpkin Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Halloween Color by Number
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11. Ghost Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Halloween Color by Number
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12. Fish Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with two tropical fish swimming under the sea with seaweed, bubbles and a starfish. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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13. Heart Balloons Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a bunch of heart-shaped balloons tied with a bow, floating in the sky. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Add patterns inside the hearts.
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14. Rainbow Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a rainbow with a smiling sun, fluffy clouds and flowers in the grass. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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15. Heart Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden heart. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each square and color it by the answer. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Add patterns inside the hearts.
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16. Pumpkin Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Thanksgiving Color by Number
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17. Apple Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Thanksgiving Color by Number
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18. Fish Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden fish. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each square and color it by the answer. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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19. Cat Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Halloween Color by Number
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20. House Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden house. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each square and color it by the answer. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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21. Butterfly Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden butterfly. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each square and color it by the answer. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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22. Strawberry Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden strawberry. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each square and color it by the answer. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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23. Snowman Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Christmas Color by Number
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24. Ornament Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Christmas Color by Number
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25. Leaf Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Thanksgiving Color by Number
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26. Frog Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a happy frog sitting on a lily pad in a pond with cattails, water lilies and a dragonfly. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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27. Hedgehog Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a hedgehog carrying an apple through autumn leaves, with apples, toadstools and an orange autumn tree. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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28. Ladybug Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden ladybug. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each square and color it by the answer. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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29. Umbrella Pixel Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden umbrella. Solve the subtraction problem (within 10) in each square and color it by the answer. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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30. Penguin Subtraction to 20 Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a penguin in a warm hat and scarf waving next to an igloo, with snowy mountains and a fish in the icy water. Solve the subtraction problem (numbers up to 20) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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31. Octopus Subtraction to 20 Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a smiling octopus under the sea with orange coral, kelp, bubbles and a little red crab. Solve the subtraction problem (numbers up to 20) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. It is a good page for first graders who know their facts to 10 and are ready for bigger numbers. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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32. Train Subtraction to 20 Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a steam train with a red engine, a passenger car and a coal wagon chugging along the tracks. Solve the subtraction problem (numbers up to 20) in each space and color it by the answer to reveal the full picture. The numbers stay within 20, which matches first grade math goals. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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33. Santa Hat Pixel Subtraction to 20 Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Christmas Color by Number
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34. Bell Pixel Subtraction to 20 Color by Number
Download PDF · View page · More in Christmas Color by Number
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35. Polar Bear Two-Digit Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a polar bear hugging a fish on an ice floe under the northern lights, with icebergs, the moon and stars. Subtract the two-digit numbers in each space (some need regrouping) and color it by the difference to reveal the full picture. Second graders get real practice with bigger numbers while the picture keeps them going. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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36. Turtle Two-Digit Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a smiling turtle on a sunny beach with waves, a sandcastle, seashells and a starfish. Subtract the two-digit numbers in each space (some need regrouping) and color it by the difference to reveal the full picture. It is pitched at second grade, with two-digit numbers or the first times tables. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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37. Tractor Two-Digit Subtraction Color by Number
An illustrated color-by-number worksheet with a green farm tractor in front of a red barn, with a hay bale, a big tree and a sunny sky. Subtract the two-digit numbers in each space (some need regrouping) and color it by the difference to reveal the full picture. Second graders get real practice with bigger numbers while the picture keeps them going. Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
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38. Crown Pixel Two-Digit Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden crown. Subtract the two-digit numbers in each space (some need regrouping) and color it by the difference. It is pitched at second grade, with two-digit numbers or the first times tables. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
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39. Kite Pixel Two-Digit Subtraction Color by Number
A printable color-by-number mystery picture worksheet with a hidden kite. Subtract the two-digit numbers in each space (some need regrouping) and color it by the difference. It is pitched at second grade, with two-digit numbers or the first times tables. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
Tips for coloring Subtraction Color by Number
- Count back for small numbers: for 9 - 3, start at 9 and count 8, 7, 6.
- Think addition: 14 - 6 asks what number plus 6 makes 14.
- For two-digit problems, check whether you need to regroup before you start with the ones.
Fun facts about Subtraction Color by Number
- Subtraction and addition are opposites: 12 - 5 = 7 because 7 + 5 = 12.
- Subtracting zero leaves a number the same, and subtracting a number from itself gives zero.
- In the US, kids learn subtraction within 20 in first grade and two-digit subtraction in second grade.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Check each answer by adding it back: the difference plus the smaller number should give the bigger number.
- Color all spaces with the smallest answer first, then the next, like climbing a ladder.
- Pair the page with a number line taped to the desk for kids who still count back.
How to print
Click Download PDF on any page and print it at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Use regular printer paper for crayons and pencils, or cardstock for markers and paint. Every page here is free for home, classroom and party use, so feel free to print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
How do kids solve subtraction to 20?
Counting back works for small numbers. For problems like 15 - 8, thinking of the addition fact 8 + 7 = 15 is faster.
Can these be used for homework?
Yes. Each page is one sheet with its own color key, and the finished picture shows at a glance whether the answers were right.