Adding and Subtracting Integers Worksheets (Positive and Negative Numbers)
Updated on October 15, 2026
Adding and subtracting integers means working with positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero. Students meet negative numbers in grade 6 and start adding and subtracting them in grade 7, so this skill sits at the heart of middle school pre-algebra.
Our free adding and subtracting integers worksheets give your child focused practice with positive and negative numbers, from simple sums like 5 + (−3) to multi-step problems.
Free Adding and Subtracting Integers Worksheets (PDF)
All worksheets are free PDFs. Download, print, and work through them on paper, or use them for quick review before a test.
How to Add and Subtract Integers
Three rules cover every problem on these worksheets:
- Same signs: add and keep the sign. −4 + (−3) = −7, and 4 + 3 = 7.
- Different signs: subtract and keep the sign of the larger absolute value. 5 + (−3) = 2, and −8 + 6 = −2.
- Subtracting means adding the opposite. 5 − (−3) = 5 + 3 = 8, and −2 − 6 = −2 + (−6) = −8.
On a number line: to solve −2 + 5, start at −2 and move 5 steps to the right. You land on 3, so −2 + 5 = 3. Adding a negative number moves you to the left instead.
More Integers Worksheets
To build a full understanding of integers, try our other free worksheets:
Want to check what your child has learned? Take our practice test questions on integers.
Benefits of Adding and Subtracting Integers Worksheets
#1: Step-by-step progression
The worksheets start with straightforward problems and gradually add harder ones, so students build confidence with negative numbers before they tackle mixed and multi-step questions.
#2: Practice with the sign rules
Most mistakes with integers come from mixing up the signs. Repeated practice with problems like 7 − (−2) and −6 + 4 helps students apply the rules automatically.
#3: Preparation for algebra
Solving equations, simplifying expressions, and graphing all rely on working confidently with positive and negative numbers. These worksheets build that foundation before students move on to multiplying and dividing integers and early algebra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade level are these adding and subtracting integers worksheets for?
They are designed for grades 6–7. In grade 6, students learn what negative numbers are and place them on a number line. In grade 7, they add and subtract positive and negative numbers, which is the focus of these worksheets.
Are integers the same as negative numbers?
Not exactly. Integers are all whole numbers and their opposites: positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero (…, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, …). Negative numbers are only one part of the integers. That is why adding and subtracting negative numbers is practiced as part of integer operations.
How do you subtract a negative number?
Change the subtraction to addition and flip the sign of the second number. For example, 5 − (−3) becomes 5 + 3 = 8. Subtracting a negative number always makes the result larger.
Should my child master adding and subtracting integers before multiplying and dividing them?
It helps. Adding and subtracting teaches students how positive and negative numbers interact, which makes the sign rules for multiplication and division easier to understand. Once your child is comfortable with these worksheets, the next step is multiplying and dividing integers.
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