Interactive Number Line
Choose where the line starts and ends and what it counts by: whole numbers, decimals, fractions or negative numbers. Tap two marks to draw a jump, hide numbers for students to work out, show it full screen or print it. Free, with no sign-up.
Tap a mark to start a jump, then the mark it lands on.
Want more than one line? Australian teachers sell number line activities, open number line problems, fraction and decimal number lines and warm-up sets, most for under $5.
Number line resources by Aussie teachers
An online number line for whole numbers, fractions and decimals
A number line puts numbers in order with equal space between them, so students can see how far apart two numbers are and what adding or taking away does. Choose where this one starts, where it ends and what it counts by, up to 41 marks. It works on an interactive whiteboard, a laptop or a phone, and Full screen puts it up for the whole class.
Ways to use it in class
- Counting on and back: draw jumps of 1 from 7 to 12 and count them together. Then start at 12 and jump back.
- Jump strategy: on a 0 to 100 line counting by 10s, show 23 + 45 as a jump of 40 and then a jump of 5. The number sentence under the line writes it out.
- Skip counting: count by 2s, 5s or 10s, hide every number except the ends, and ask students to fill the gaps.
- Fractions: count by 1/4 from 0 to 2 and switch the labels between mixed numbers and simplest form to show that 2/4 and 1/2 sit in the same place.
- Decimals: count by 0.1 from 0 to 1, then zoom in from 0.3 to 0.4 counting by 0.01 to show hundredths.
- Negative numbers: use -10 to 10 to show temperatures below zero and jumps that cross zero.
Which year levels use a number line?
Number lines run through all of primary maths. In the Australian Curriculum (version 9), Year 1 students order numbers to at least 120 using number lines, middle primary students use them for addition and subtraction strategies and to place fractions and decimals, and Year 6 students locate integers on a number line. For counting and place value with younger students, try the free interactive hundreds chart, or read the addition and subtraction activities guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is this number line free?
Yes. The interactive number line and the printable PDF are free to use and photocopy for your class, with no sign-up.
Can it show fractions and decimals?
Yes. Type a fraction such as 1/4 or a decimal such as 0.1 as the step. Fraction lines can be labelled as mixed numbers (1 1/4), improper fractions (5/4) or in simplest form (1/2), so the same line works for counting by quarters and for equivalent fractions.
Can it show negative numbers?
Yes. Start the line below zero, for example from -10 to 10. In the Australian Curriculum (version 9), Year 6 students locate and represent integers on a number line.
How do I draw jumps for addition and subtraction?
Choose Draw a jump, tap the mark to start from, then tap the mark it lands on. Jumps to the right show adding, jumps to the left show taking away, and each one is labelled with its size. Jumps that follow on from each other are written as a number sentence under the line.
How do I make a fill in the missing numbers activity?
Press Ends only, or choose Hide or show and tap the marks to hide. Hidden numbers become empty boxes. Download the Five lines PDF and every student has a line to fill in.
Can I save the number line I have set up?
Yes. The link in the address bar always matches the line, including jumps and hidden numbers. Press Copy link to keep it with your lesson plan or share it with another teacher.