Money Counting Practice
Add up a handful of UK coins, or work out the change from a price. Type the answer in pence or pounds, such as 37p or £1.20.
The coins are drawn as plain discs. Real coins differ in size and shape, for example the 20p and 50p have seven sides. Type 37p or £0.37 for money in pence, and £1.20 for pounds. A whole number with no sign counts as pence.
Worked examples
Counting coins
50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p
87p
50 + 20 + 10 + 5 + 2 = 87.
Giving change
Costs 37p, pay with 50p
13p (a 10p, a 2p and a 1p)
50 - 37 = 13, made from 10p + 2p + 1p.
About Money Counting Practice
Money is one of the first places where children use maths in real life, and counting coins and working out change are taught from Year 1 in England. This tool shows a handful of UK coins, from 1p up to £2, and asks how much they come to. It can also give a price and an amount handed over and ask for the change, which is the harder skill.
There are three levels. Level 1 uses 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins, Level 2 adds 20p and 50p, and Level 3 adds £1 and £2 coins and makes the change questions run into pounds. When you miss a change question you are shown the smallest number of coins that makes the change, which is the way a shopkeeper would give it. The answer box understands 37p, £0.37 and 0.37, and £1.20 as well as 1.20.
How to use Money Counting Practice
- Choose whether to practise counting, change or both, and a level.
- Press Start and look at the coins or the price.
- Type the total or the change, for example 65p or £1.20, then press Enter.
- Read the results and the fewest coins for any change you missed.
Common uses
- Early maths practice with coins at home
- Preparing for a role-play shop in class
- Helping a child who finds change difficult
- Teaching pence and pounds notation, such as £1.05
Frequently asked questions
Which UK coins are used?
The 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins. The change questions at Level 3 also mention £5, £10 and £20 notes as the amount handed over.
How should I type an answer?
Use 37p for pence and £1.20 for pounds. A plain number with no sign, such as 37, counts as pence. A number with a decimal point, such as 1.20, counts as pounds.
What is the fewest coins for change?
It is the smallest number of coins that make the amount. For the UK coin system, taking the largest coin that fits each time always gives the fewest coins. For example 87p is a 50p, a 20p, a 10p, a 5p and a 2p.
Are the coins shown to scale?
No. They are simple discs with the value written on them. The size is only roughly right, and the 20p and 50p, which have seven sides, are drawn round.
How can I make it more real?
Put out some real coins as well and let the child count them alongside the screen, or set up a pretend shop.