Place Value Explanation Charts

These place value charts were designed to help

students understand how to read large numerals.
They are designed to be printed on 8 ½ x 14 paper.

The charts are easier for students to handle if they

are folded in half before lamination. They work well
for small group instruction or for inclusion with
independent card games.
Please note that one chart includes decimals. Print
the chart that fits your grade level standards.
 Understanding Place Value

thousand
million
billion
hundreds tens ones , hundreds tens ones , hundreds tens ones , hundreds tens ones

Notice the pattern. Pay attention to the commas.

Important things to remember:

Notice the pattern. The pattern of “hundreds, tens, ones” continues to repeat. That means if you can read the
number 326 (three hundred twenty-six), you can also read 326,000 (three hundred twenty-six thousand) and
326,000,000 (three hundred twenty-six million).
Pay attention to the commas. Read the three numeral chunk, and then say the place value label when you see
the comma.
 Understanding Place Value

thousand
million
billion

and
hundreds tens ones , hundreds tens ones , hundreds tens ones , hundreds tens ones . tenths hundredths thousandths

When reading the part of the numeral after

Notice the pattern. Pay attention to the commas. the decimal point, you will include the word
found in the last place value position.

Important things to notice:

When reading whole numbers (to the left of the decimal point), notice the pattern. “Hundreds, tens, ones” continues to repeat.
When reading the place value position of numbers with decimals, the ones place and decimal point is pivotal. The pattern now goes in the opposite direction.

Pay attention to the commas. If you can read 326 (three hundred twenty-six), you can read 326, 000 (three hundred twenty-six thousand)
and 326,000,000 (three hundred twenty-six million).
You can also read 326, 326, 326 (three hundred twenty-six million, three hundred twenty-six thousand, three hundred twenty-six).
Remember when reading decimal numbers (to the right of the decimal point), the place value position pattern now flows in the opposite direction.
If you know the place value positions (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands), it will be easy to remember the decimal place value position labels.
Remember to add a “th” to the end of the word, and move in the opposite direction.
Remember to state the final place value position when you read the number after the decimal point.
(5.326 should be read as five and three hundred twenty-six thousandths).