Comparing Numbers — 1st Grade Lesson
Students will compare numbers to 120 using greater than, less than, and equal, and put numbers in order.
1st Grade · Comparing Numbers · ~20 min lesson
What does comparing mean?
Comparing is deciding which number is bigger, smaller, or the same. When you say “I have more crayons than you,” you’re comparing.
The symbols
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| > | greater than | bigger than |
| < | less than | smaller than |
| = | equal to | the same as |
Memory trick: the open mouth of the symbol faces the bigger number.
8 > 5 (the mouth opens toward 8) 3 < 7 (the mouth opens toward 7)
Comparing with tens and ones
If two numbers have the same number of digits, compare the tens first, then the ones.
23 vs 32: compare tens → 2 vs 3 → 32 is greater. 27 vs 24: same tens (2), compare ones → 7 vs 4 → 27 is greater.
More digits means a bigger number
Any two-digit number is greater than any one-digit number.
12 > 9, because 12 has a tens digit.
Ordering numbers
To put numbers in order from smallest to largest, compare them two at a time.
17, 12, 19 → smallest is 12, then 17, then 19 → 12, 17, 19
How to practice at home
- The alligator: draw > as an alligator that always eats the bigger number.
- More or fewer: “Which pile has more? Which has fewer?”
- Line them up: write random numbers and put them in order.
- Card game: flip two cards, say which is greater.
Practice with the exercises above, then download these free printable worksheets:
Practice Exercises
Try these on your own, then reveal the answer to check.
Which is greater: 23 or 32?
💡 Compare the tens digits: 3 vs 2.
Fill in: 15 ___ 15 (greater, less, or equal?)
💡 They are the same number.
Which is less: 41 or 14?
💡 14 has 1 ten, 41 has 4 tens.
Which symbol goes between 8 and 5: > or <?
💡 The open mouth faces the bigger number.
Put in order from smallest to largest: 17, 12, 19
💡 Compare the tens first (all 1), then the ones.
Which is greater: 7 or 12?
💡 12 has a tens digit — it's bigger than any one-digit number.
Printable Worksheets
Put this lesson into practice with free, printable worksheets — each with an answer key.
Before You Start
- Counting to 120
- Knowing which number comes first when counting
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Thinking the open end of the symbol points the wrong way
- Forgetting that 14 is bigger than 9 because 14 has two digits
What to Learn Next
Browse more Comparing Numbers worksheets or explore all 1st Grade worksheets.
Related Worksheets
Comparing Numbers Worksheet (Greater Than, Less Than)
Compare two-digit numbers with >, <, or =, looking at the tens first.
Ordering Numbers to 100 Worksheet
Put each set of two-digit numbers in order from least to greatest.
More, Fewer, or Equal Worksheet
Compare two numbers to 10 and tell which is more, which is fewer, or if they are equal.
Comparing 3-Digit Numbers Worksheet
Compare three-digit numbers with >, <, or =, starting from the hundreds place.
Ordering Numbers Least to Greatest Worksheet
Put each set of numbers in order from least to greatest by comparing place values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does greater than and less than mean in 1st grade?
Comparing two numbers to see which is larger or smaller. Greater than (>) means the first number is bigger; less than (<) means it is smaller. The open mouth of the symbol always faces the bigger number.
How do I compare two numbers with a different number of digits?
The number with more digits is always greater (12 > 9). If they have the same digits, compare the tens, then the ones.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.