Left and right pans
Choose which pan is active, then add values to build two visible totals.
Free maths tool
Pan balance tool
A free interactive pan balance for comparing totals, making equal sides and modelling greater than, less than and equal to.
Value tokens
Add 1, 5, 10, 20 or 50 to a pan and remove the last value or a selected token.
Compare totals
Read the left total, right total, comparison sign and difference while the balance tilts.
Balance action
Use balance to add the difference to the smaller side and make both pans equal.
What the tool does
The pan balance tool gives teachers and students a simple screen-based balance for comparing two totals and seeing what is needed to make them equal.
- add 1, 5, 10, 20 or 50 to the left or right pan
- compare totals with greater than, less than and equal signs
- show the difference between the two pans
- remove the last value or clear one pan
- balance the smaller side, randomise values, swap sides or clear the board
How teachers use it
Open it on a classroom display when students are learning comparison language, missing values or early equation ideas.
- build two unequal totals and ask which side has more
- ask students to predict the difference before balancing
- press balance to add the missing value to the smaller side
- use random examples for quick equation and inequality talks
Why it is useful
A balance model helps students see that an equals sign means both sides have the same value, not just that an answer comes next.
- connects comparison symbols to a visible model
- supports early equation and missing-number thinking
- makes the effect of adding to one side easy to discuss
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the pan balance tool free?
Yes. Teachers, students and families can open the pan balance tool in a browser for free.
What values can I add to the pans?
The tool includes quick buttons for 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 so students can build totals without typing.
Can the tool make both sides equal?
Yes. The balance button adds the difference to the smaller side so both pans show the same total.
Does it score student answers?
No. It is an open modelling tool, not a scored practice activity or student-tracking page.