Tool
Number line generator
Printable number lines from any number to any other: 0 to 10, 0 to 20 or 0 to 100, negative numbers, decimals, or fractions in halves, thirds or quarters. Up to eight lines on a page for a worksheet, blank ones to fill in, or one long line over several sheets to tape up on a classroom wall. A4 or US Letter PDF.
11 numbered marks from 0 to 10, 25.5 mm apart, 4 lines on the page. Print at Actual size or 100%.
Number lines for the classroom
A number line turns counting into distance: adding is a jump to the right, taking away a jump to the left, and the gap between two numbers is how far apart they sit. A line from 0 to 10 or 0 to 20 suits early counting and number bonds, one numbered in tens with nine small marks between them carries place value to 100, and a line through zero shows negative numbers as the mirror of the positive ones.
Fractions and decimals
With fractions, each whole is split into equal parts, the whole numbers get the long marks, and every part between is written as a fraction, so 3/4 and 6/8 can be seen to sit at the same point on two lines one above the other. Decimals work the same way, counting by 0.1, 0.25 or 0.5. Print two or three lines on a page with different parts to compare them.
A wall number line, to size
The wall strip keeps the distance between numbers you choose, whatever the length, and spreads the line over as many landscape pages as it needs. Each page after the first starts at a dashed line placed between two numbers, never through one; cut along it, lay the edge on the dashed line of the page before, and tape it from behind. Card stock or a laminator makes it last. To check that the printer kept the size, measure the bar on the first page, or two marks with the printable ruler.
Keeps these settings in the link. Useful for moving from a phone to the computer with the printer on it.
Share with a class
Posts a link to this tool with these settings. Nothing loads from Google or Microsoft until you press a button.
Frequently asked questions
How do I print a number line to 20 or to 100?
Choose 0 to 20, or 0 to 100 in tens, from the quick picks, then the paper. 0 to 20 fits across one landscape page with 12.8 mm between numbers on A4 (11.9 mm on US Letter); 0 to 100 is clearest numbered in tens with nine small marks between, so every whole number has its own mark. Download the PDF and print it at Actual size or 100%.
How do I make a long number line for a classroom wall?
Choose Wall strip and set the distance between numbers: 40 mm makes 0 to 20 84 cm long from arrow to arrow, on 4 landscape sheets of A4 (4 of Letter). Every sheet after the first starts at a dashed line between two numbers: cut along it, lay the edge on the dashed line of the sheet before, so the rule runs on, and tape it from behind. The first sheet has a bar of a set length to measure, to check the printer kept the size.
Can I print a number line with negative numbers?
Yes. Set the first number below zero, or pick -10 to 10. The mark at zero is drawn longer and heavier so the two sides are easy to tell apart, and the arrows at both ends show that the line goes on in both directions.
How do I show fractions on a number line?
Choose Fractions and the parts: halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths or twelfths. The whole numbers get longer marks, and the marks between are written as stacked fractions: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4. With Mixed numbers they read 1 1/4 rather than 5/4 past the first whole; with Simplest form, 2/4 becomes 1/2. Leave both off to show the counting in quarters.
What is a blank number line for?
For children to fill in: choose None under Write the numbers and only the marks print, or Ends only to give the first and last numbers and leave the rest. Six blank lines to a page make a worksheet for counting on, skip counting or placing numbers.
Why are some of the numbers missing?
When there are too many numbers for the length of the line, writing all of them would make them overlap or too small to read, so only every 2nd, 5th or 10th is written, counted from zero, and the page says so. Every mark is still drawn. To write all of them, use fewer numbers, count by a larger step, or make a wall strip, where each number gets the space you choose.
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