---
title: "Place value of each digit"
description: "Recognise the place value of each digit in a four-digit number (thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones)"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/place-value-of-each-digit-mt_jY7uf0Cb7o
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/place-value-of-each-digit-mt_jY7uf0Cb7o.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Place value of each digit

Recognise the place value of each digit in a four-digit number (thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones)

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Number Representation & Place Value · Ages 8 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/place-value-of-each-digit-mt_jY7uf0Cb7o

## Ready when they can

- State the value of each digit in a four-digit number (e.g. in 7,345 the 7 represents 7 thousands)
- Partition a four-digit number into thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones
- Compose a four-digit number from given place-value parts (e.g. 3000 + 400 + 50 + 2 = 3,452)

## Lesson: The value of each digit

A four-digit number has four spots for its digits. From left to right, the spots are thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. Each spot gives its digit a different value.

*(drawing: In 7,345, the 7 sits in the thousands spot. It means 7,000, not just 7.)*

**Example.** Look at 5,347. The 5 is in the thousands spot, so it means 5,000. The 3 is in the hundreds spot, so it means 300. The 4 is in the tens spot, so it means 40. The 7 is in the ones spot, so it just means 7.

**Tip.** The same digit can mean different things. A 3 in the thousands spot is worth 3,000. A 3 in the tens spot is only worth 30. Always check the spot before you say the value.

**Recap.** Where a digit sits tells you its value: thousands, hundreds, tens, or ones.

## Practice

14 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [The three digits of a three-digit number](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/the-three-digits-of-a-three-digit-number-mt_aPBzD28_mT)

## Opens up

- [Place Value Problem-Solving](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/place-value-problem-solving-mt__sMrmOv3bx)
- [1000 More or Less](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/1000-more-or-less-mt_9XVFje6Tyr)
- [Numbers to 10,000](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/numbers-to-10-000-mt_lC_Q5mSL_I)
- [Roman numerals to 100](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/roman-numerals-to-100-mt_MewIRdzpzz)
- [Adding and subtracting (age 8+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/adding-and-subtracting-age-8-mt_mpS-JK_p_m)
- [Rounding to 10, 100, 1000](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/rounding-to-10-100-1000-mt_NLSfvB9vUl)
- [Mental multiplication and division](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/mental-multiplication-and-division-mt_pjfmCMMPjO)