Number & Operations in Base Ten

Comparing Three-Digit Numbers

Using <, =, and > to compare three-digit numbers.

Foundational15 min lesson2 min readUpdated August 12, 2026Author not yet attributed

Prerequisites

Hundreds, Tens, and Ones

Comparing Bigger Numbers

Comparing two three-digit numbers uses the exact same idea as comparing two-digit numbers — just with one more place value to check first.

To compare two three-digit numbers, look at the hundreds digit first. Whichever number has more hundreds is larger, no matter what the tens or ones digits are. Only when the hundreds digits match do you move on to compare the tens digits — and only if those match too do the ones digits decide.

Worked Example — Comparing by Hundreds

Compare 512 and 498. 512 has 5 hundreds, and 498 has 4 hundreds. Since 5 hundreds is more than 4 hundreds, 512 is larger, regardless of the other digits. So 498 < 512.

Worked Example — Comparing When Hundreds Match

Compare 364 and 371. Both numbers have 3 hundreds, so move to the tens digit: 6 tens versus 7 tens. Since 7 is more than 6, 371 is larger. So 364 < 371.

Worked Example — Comparing When Hundreds and Tens Match

Compare 683 and 687. Both have 6 hundreds and 8 tens, so those are tied. Move to the ones digit: 3 versus 7. Since 7 is more than 3, 687 is larger. So 683 < 687.

Tip

Compare digits from left to right, one place value at a time, and stop as soon as one digit is different — the first place where the digits differ decides which number is larger.

Common Mistakes

Comparing the ones digits first, such as deciding 298 is larger than 350 because 8 is more than 0.
Always start comparing from the leftmost digit — the hundreds place. 350 has 3 hundreds and 298 has 2 hundreds, so 350 is larger no matter what the other digits are.
Assuming a number with more digits written down is automatically larger, even when comparing numbers that both have three digits.
For numbers with the same number of digits, compare place by place from the left — the number of digits alone doesn't decide which is larger once both numbers have three digits.

Key Takeaways

Compare three-digit numbers starting with the hundreds place, then tens, then ones.
Move to the next place value only when the current place values are tied.
The first place value where two numbers differ decides which number is larger.

Summary

Comparing three-digit numbers extends the same place-value comparison from Grade 1 one level further. With comparing understood, the next topic returns to computation — adding and subtracting numbers that now reach into the hundreds.

Track your progress

← Hundreds, Tens, and Ones Back to Number & Operations in Base Ten Adding Two-Digit Numbers→