Decimals — 4th Grade Lesson
Students will understand tenths and hundredths, read and write decimal numbers, and compare them.
4th Grade · Decimals · ~25 min lesson
What is a decimal?
A decimal is another way to write a fraction using a point. The digits after the decimal point are parts of a whole.
0.3 = 3/10 (three tenths) 0.25 = 25/100 (twenty-five hundredths)
Tenths and hundredths
| Decimal | Read as | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | one tenth | 1/10 |
| 0.3 | three tenths | 3/10 |
| 0.25 | twenty-five hundredths | 25/100 |
| 0.7 | seven tenths | 7/10 |
Decimal place value
- The first digit after the decimal is tenths.
- The second digit after the decimal is hundredths.
In 0.45: the 4 is 4 tenths (0.4) and the 5 is 5 hundredths (0.05).
Comparing decimals
Compare the tenths first, then the hundredths.
0.4 vs 0.35: both have tenths to compare — 4 tenths > 3 tenths → 0.4 > 0.35.
Decimals on a number line
Tenths split the space between whole numbers into 10 equal parts. Halfway between 0 and 1 is 0.5.
Money connection
Money is decimals in disguise: $0.25 is 25 hundredths of a dollar. Coin values are tenths and hundredths you can hold.
How to practice at home
- Money math: talk about $0.25, $0.50, $0.75 as quarters of a dollar.
- Measure and compare: “who jumped farther — 3.4 feet or 3.6 feet?”
- Line them up: write decimals and put them in order.
- Fraction flip: say a decimal, write the fraction.
Practice with the exercises above, then download these free printable worksheets:
Practice Exercises
Try these on your own, then reveal the answer to check.
What fraction is the same as 0.3?
💡 The first digit after the decimal is tenths.
What fraction is the same as 0.25?
💡 The second digit after the decimal is hundredths.
Which is greater: 0.6 or 0.4?
💡 6 tenths is more than 4 tenths.
Which is greater: 0.4 or 0.35?
💡 Compare tenths first: 4 vs 3.
Write 7 tenths as a decimal.
💡 Tenths go in the first place after the decimal.
Write 23 hundredths as a decimal.
💡 Hundredths fill two places after the decimal.
Printable Worksheets
Put this lesson into practice with free, printable worksheets — each with an answer key.
Before You Start
- Fractions basics
- Place value to hundreds
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Reading 0.7 as 'zero point seven' without seeing it as 7 tenths
- Thinking 0.45 is bigger than 0.4 because 45 is bigger than 4
What to Learn Next
Browse more Decimals worksheets or explore all 4th Grade worksheets.
Related Worksheets
4th Grade Decimals: Tenths and Hundredths
Write tenths and hundredths as decimals and fractions, and compare decimal numbers.
Comparing Decimals Worksheet
Compare decimals to the hundredths with <, >, or =, lining up place value instead of counting digits.
Rounding Decimals Worksheet
Round decimals to the nearest whole number and the nearest tenth using the 'look right' rule.
Adding and Subtracting Decimals Worksheet
Add and subtract decimals by lining up the decimal points and filling empty places with zeros.
Multiplying Decimals Worksheet
Multiply decimals, then place the decimal point by counting the decimal places in both factors.
Dividing Decimals Worksheet
Divide a decimal by a whole number, bringing the decimal point straight up into the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decimals does a 4th grader need to know?
Tenths and hundredths — reading, writing, and comparing them (like 0.3, 0.45), and understanding that they are another way to write fractions (0.3 = 3/10).
Why is 0.4 greater than 0.35?
Compare the tenths place first: 0.4 has 4 tenths, 0.35 has 3 tenths. More tenths means bigger, so 0.4 > 0.35 even though 35 is bigger than 4.
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.