Column Subtraction helps students learn and practice the column subtraction method step by step.
The app aligns the numbers automatically so students can focus on solving each column. Renaming is animated visually, helping students understand how values are moved between columns. Renaming can be done automatically or manually, and renaming over several columns is supported.
Students can solve randomly generated problems or enter their own subtraction problems. The number of digits can be adjusted, making the app useful for different skill levels.
Column subtraction is also known as columnar subtraction, long subtraction, or longhand subtraction. Renaming is also known as regrouping, trading, or borrowing.
Features:
- Subtract 2 or 3 numbers
- Each number can have 1–5 digits
- Randomly generated or manually entered problems
- Automatic number alignment
- Manual or automatic renaming/regrouping
- Supports renaming over several columns
- Current operation for each column can be hidden
- Operands of the current operation can be highlighted
- Adjustable animation speed
- Different interfaces for iPhone and iPad
- 25 six-piece animal jigsaw puzzles
- Puzzle feature can be turned on or off
Reviews and Endorsements:
Professor Tim Pelton, assistant professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Victoria:
“If your goal is to help your child to master the traditional subtraction algorithm then Column Subtraction may be the ideal App.”
“With the ‘show current operation’ option turned on, they are constantly reminded of the next step, which can lead to efficient practice of the procedure. Then by turning off the current operation your child is able to practice remembering the steps on his/her own.”
Teacher endorsement:
“The Math apps by Esa Helttula allow students to practice and reinforce the specific computation strategies taught in class, with as much or as little scaffolding as necessary. They also provide individualized feedback to each student, with an immediacy that is not always possible through pencil and paper practice.”
— Rita Zeni, Ecole Sandy Hill Elementary, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Other iDevBooks Math Apps:
Other iDevBooks math apps include Column Addition, Long Division, Long Multiplication, Lattice Multiplication, Visual Multiplication Table, Fraction Math, Partial Differences Subtraction, Partial Quotients Division, Partial Sums Addition, and more.
Feedback:
New ideas to make this app better are welcome. Please visit idevbooks.com to give feedback.
Privacy:
This app has no ads, no in-app purchases, and does not transmit user data during operation. The app also does not contain links to other apps or to the web.
This is an excellent way for my special education students to practice the skills they have learned in solving subtraction problems with regrouping. This is such a hard concept for them to work out on paper many times and this app makes it fun and at the same time shows them what they need to do. Then, when THEY actually go to work problems out on paper by themselves they refer to what they app showed them how to do. For some reason it is so much "cooler" to do the way the app shows them verses the way the "teacher" shows them....LOL - my students love this app. GET ALL of Esa's apps - they will have your students asking to solve problems all the time.
Full of bugs; not maintained in years
AlwaysAnotherWay
It’s January 2026. I gave the app 1 star because it is full of bugs and is unpredictable. 1.) All settings are reset to default after exiting and re-entering. 2.) The subtraction sign is ON TOP OF the number in the second row most of the time but not always. The minus sign should be to the LEFT of the number. 3.) The digit settings don’t do what is expected half the time. When setting the game to 3-digit subtraction, the game might display 2-digit or 1-digit or other. I wasted $4 on this app. If an app isn’t maintained for 4 years like this one and has a 5-star review, then closer inspection is warranted. The app has good features and is a great concept. However, the features just don’t work as intended. The only written review was from 15 years ago, and it was a 5-star praise of the app. Buyer beware.Update Jan./2026: I am running iOS 26.2 on an iPhone 14 Pro Max, so my software is up-to-date.
I bought both. Try Addition too.
OneAppTooMany
This app is a great learning tool for teachers and parents to share with students and kids.The jigsaw puzzle pieces are a nice addition that makes it fun.
Exactly what I was looking for
newpodcastuser
For my 1st grader struggling with double and triple digit subtraction. Thank you!
Updated for iOS 26 compatibility.
Version 7.0
The developer, Esa Helttula, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Esa Helttula
Size
20.2 MB
Category
Education
Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 17.6 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 14.6 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
