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Daily Math Minute

Number & Operations—Fractions

Comparing Decimals

Comparing two decimals to the hundredths place.

Intermediate15 min lesson2 min readUpdated August 12, 2026Author not yet attributed

Prerequisites

  • Fractions to Decimals

Comparing Decimal Numbers

Comparing decimals uses the exact same place-value strategy as comparing whole numbers — just applied to the digits after the decimal point instead of before it.

To compare two decimals, first compare the whole-number part, if there is one. If those are equal, compare the tenths digit; if those are also equal, compare the hundredths digit, continuing right until a difference is found.

Worked Example — Comparing Two Decimals

Compare 0.6 and 0.45. Line up the decimal points and compare the tenths digit first: 6 tenths versus 4 tenths. Since 6 is more than 4, 0.6 is larger, regardless of the hundredths digit. So 0.45 < 0.6.

Worked Example — Comparing When Tenths Match

Compare 0.38 and 0.32. Both have 3 in the tenths place, so those are tied. Compare the hundredths digit: 8 versus 2. Since 8 is more than 2, 0.38 is larger. So 0.32 < 0.38.

Tip

Writing a decimal with a missing hundredths digit as if it had a trailing zero — like writing 0.6 as 0.60 — makes it much easier to compare directly against a decimal that does have a hundredths digit.

Common Mistakes

  • Comparing decimals as if more digits after the point always means a larger number, such as assuming 0.45 is larger than 0.6 because 45 looks bigger than 6.

    Always compare place value by place value starting from the tenths digit, not by comparing the digits as if they were a whole number on their own.

  • Forgetting to line up the decimal points before comparing digit by digit.

    Always align the decimal points of both numbers first, so the tenths digit lines up with the tenths digit and the hundredths digit lines up with the hundredths digit.

Key Takeaways

  • Comparing decimals uses the same place-value strategy as comparing whole numbers, starting from the tenths place.
  • Compare digit by digit from left to right after the decimal point, moving on only when a place value ties.
  • Writing a missing digit as a trailing zero makes comparing decimals of different lengths easier.

Summary

Comparing decimals extends familiar place-value comparison one more time, to numbers with a fractional part. The next unit shifts from number relationships to measurement, starting with converting between units.

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