# Ten Frames

Canonical: https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/ten-frames/

Two rows of five spaces that organize counters around the benchmarks five and ten.

![A two-by-five frame holding seven counters](https://manipulatives.org/_astro/ten-frames.Ka6maejw.svg)

Published: 2026-10-09
Reviewed: 2026-10-09

Topics: number-sense, counting, operations

## What they teach

### Five and ten

See a quantity in relation to a full row of five and a full frame of ten.

### Missing parts

Use empty spaces to show how many more make ten.

### Making a ten

Move counters between two frames to represent an addition strategy.

## How to use them

1. **Meet the frame.** Count its two rows of five spaces. Put no more than one counter in each space.

2. **Build a quantity.** Place seven counters in the frame. Describe five and two, and notice three spaces remain.

3. **Explain a move.** Add five using a second frame. Move three into the first frame to show ten and two.

## Try an activity: Show it two ways

Build six in a frame by filling one row and adding one. Rearrange the same six counters into another pattern. Discuss what is easier to see in each arrangement.

## Let the spaces do some of the work

A ten frame gives the empty spaces a meaning. Seven counters leave three empty spaces, so the same picture can describe seven, three more to ten, or ten minus three.

Filling one row first is a helpful convention for seeing five and some more. It is not the only valid arrangement. When a learner builds six differently, ask them to explain the grouping before rearranging their work.

For quantities greater than ten, place two frames beside each other. If the task is 8 + 5, physically move two of the five counters to complete the first ten. The model now shows ten and three, while the original total remains thirteen. Link the move to 8 + 2 + 3 in writing.

## Choose your toolkit

A printed or drawn frame works well with appropriately sized counters. For purchased boards, check that counters fit the spaces and that enough frames are included for numbers beyond ten.

- [SYNARRY Wooden Ten-Frame Set (6 Frames)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3QZFYS8) — Six wooden ten frames and 60 counters in six colors for making ten and comparing quantities. Includes writing boards, dry-erase markers, math game cards, dice, number stones, and a storage bag.

### Manipulatives app

An on-screen frame can show a number as five and some more, or as a distance from ten. Ask the learner to explain the filled and empty spaces. A drawn frame works for the same questions.

[Explore the app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/manipulatives-hands-on-math/id6780701668)

## Related tools

- [Two-Color Counters](https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/two-color-counters/)
- [Rekenreks](https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/rekenreks/)
- [Number Lines](https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/number-lines/)