Number Line

How to make a printable number line

1. Pick the numbers: a whole-number range, positive and negative integers, fractions, decimals, or a custom start, end and step.
2. Choose the labels: every number, ends only for a blank number line, ticks only, or an open number line with no ticks.
3. Set how many lines go on a page. Landscape gives the longest lines and the widest spaces between ticks.
4. Press Print number lines. Labels that would overlap are thinned out automatically, so long lines stay readable.

This printable number line is drawn in your browser with every space exactly equal, which matters when children measure jumps. Nothing is uploaded and there is no sign-up.

Which number line to use

Fraction number line and integer number line

A fraction number line splits each whole into equal parts and labels every tick, such as 1/4, 2/4 and 3/4, with whole numbers printed larger. Lining up a fourths line under a halves line shows at a glance that 2/4 and 1/2 are the same point, which matches the grade 3 Common Core standards: fractions as points on a number line, and equivalent fractions as the same point (3.NF.A.2 and 3.NF.A.3). The integer number line puts zero in the middle, printed in bold, with negative numbers to the left; it helps with comparing temperatures, debts and elevations, and with adding and subtracting negatives in grades 6 and 7.

Blank and open number lines

A blank number line keeps the ticks but labels only the ends, so students fill in the missing numbers, or label none for a full challenge. An open number line has no ticks at all: students write just the numbers they need and draw jumps between them, which shows their thinking for mental addition and subtraction. Both print with a name and date line. For counting grids, see the hundreds chart.

How we tested this tool

We printed the lines to PDF with Microsoft Edge on Windows and checked the file: each layout fits on one US Letter or A4 page in both orientations, and the 0 to 10 line on landscape Letter has ten spaces of 23.0 mm. We checked by script that every label matches its position for all presets, that fraction ticks read k/denominator with whole numbers at the right places, that negative numbers use a true minus sign, and that custom ranges reject steps that don't divide evenly. We also tested the layout at a 375 px phone width and that Ctrl+P prints the current lines. We haven't tested it with a class yet; teachers, tell us how it works for you.

Frequently asked questions