How do I make a bar model?

Describe your word problem in the prompt box: state the known quantities, say whether it is a part-whole or comparison problem, and mark the unknown. Choose a style and click Generate. Figviz draws the labeled bars with braces and a question mark for the unknown. Refine the prompt if any value or label needs adjusting.

Is the bar model generator free?

Yes. Every Figviz account starts with free credits you can use right away, no credit card required. Buying a pay-as-you-go credit pack removes the watermark and unlocks 4K export for large prints. Credits never expire.

What is the difference between a part-whole and a comparison bar model?

A part-whole model uses one bar partitioned into parts that add up to a whole, used when quantities combine or split. A comparison model uses two or more stacked bars of different lengths, used when one quantity is more or less than another. The choice depends on whether the problem combines quantities or compares them.

Is a bar model the same as a tape diagram?

Yes, they are the same visual with different names. "Bar model" is the Singapore Math and UK term, while "tape diagram" is the US Common Core term used in curricula like Eureka Math. Both show quantities as labeled rectangular bars with braces for totals. Figviz offers a tape diagram generator for the US wording.

Can I print bar models for my classroom?

Yes. Figviz exports bar models at up to 4K resolution, sharp enough for printed worksheets, large posters, or projector slides. Download the PNG and add it to your lesson materials. Choose portrait (3:4) for posters or landscape (4:3) for slides and worksheets.

AI-Powered

Bar Model Generator Bar Models

Describe any Singapore Math word problem and get a clean, labeled bar model in seconds. Part-whole and comparison models, braces for totals, and a question mark for the unknown, ready for worksheets and lessons.

Last updated: 2026-06-22

✓Part-whole and comparison models✓Word problem solving✓Singapore Math method✓Print and slide ready

Bar Model Generator

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Bar Model Examples

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Part-Whole Bar Model

A single bar split into two labeled parts, 15 and 9, with a brace above the full bar labeling the whole as 24, the core Singapore Math part-whole model.

part-wholeadditionfoundation

Comparison Bar Model

Two stacked bars of different lengths comparing two quantities, with the longer bar extending past the shorter and the difference highlighted by a brace.

comparisondifferencetwo quantities

Addition Bar Model

A part-whole bar model for addition where both parts, 23 and 18, are known and the whole is the unknown, marked with a question mark under the brace.

additionunknown wholeword problem

Subtraction Bar Model

A part-whole bar model for subtraction where the whole bar is 40 and one known part is 14, leaving the remaining part marked with a question mark.

subtractionmissing parttake away

Multiplication Bar Model

A bar model showing 5 equal units, each labeled 6, with a brace below the full bar labeling the total as 30, modeling 5 units of 6.

multiplicationequal unitsunits

Blank Bar Model Template

A clean blank Singapore Math bar model template with empty bars, blank label lines, and a brace, ready to fill in by hand for guided practice.

templateblankprintable

What is a bar model in math?

A bar model is a visual problem-solving method from Singapore Math that represents quantities as rectangular bars. Each bar, or section of a bar, stands for a number, and a brace labels the total or the difference. By drawing the known values and marking the unknown with a question mark, students can see the structure of a word problem before they choose an operation. Figviz uses AI to turn a plain description of a problem into a clean, accurately labeled bar model in seconds, so you can build worksheets and lesson visuals without drawing each bar by hand.

Part-whole vs comparison bar models

Part-whole models: a single bar is partitioned into parts that make up a whole. Use this when a quantity is being split or combined, such as two groups joining together or a total being shared. The brace labels the whole, and any one of the parts or the whole can be the unknown.

Comparison models: two or more bars are stacked and left-aligned so their lengths can be compared directly. Use this when a problem describes one quantity as more than, less than, or a multiple of another. The gap where the longer bar extends past the shorter one shows the difference.

Choosing the right model: read the problem and ask whether quantities are being combined into a total (part-whole) or measured against each other (comparison). Many multi-step problems use both, so it is fine to draw a part-whole bar and a comparison bar together.

How to solve word problems with bar models

Read the whole problem first and decide what is being asked before drawing anything.

Identify the quantities: list every known number and name the unknown you need to find.

Choose the model: part-whole if quantities combine into a total, comparison if they are measured against each other.

Draw and label the bars, putting a brace on the total and a question mark on the unknown.

Write the matching equation from the picture, for example whole minus known part equals the unknown.

Solve and check that the answer makes sense against the lengths in your bar model.

Bar model vs tape diagram

A bar model and a tape diagram are the same visual with different names. "Bar model" is the term used in Singapore Math and many UK and Commonwealth programs, where it is a central method for teaching word-problem reasoning. "Tape diagram" is the term used in US Common Core curricula such as Eureka Math and Engage NY. Both draw quantities as rectangular bars partitioned into labeled parts with braces for totals. If your curriculum uses the US term, the Figviz tape diagram generator produces the same models with US-style wording.

Can I get a blank bar model template?

Yes. To generate a blank bar model template, describe the layout you want, for example "a blank part-whole bar with two empty segments and a brace, plus a second blank bar for comparison." Figviz draws the empty bars with blank label lines you can fill in by hand after printing, or annotate digitally. Blank templates are useful for guided practice, where students draw the bars themselves as they work through a problem, which builds stronger reasoning than copying a finished model.

Frequently asked questions

A bar model is a Singapore Math problem-solving method that shows numbers as rectangular bars. Each bar or section represents a quantity, a brace labels the total or difference, and the unknown is marked with a question mark. It helps students see the structure of a word problem before choosing an operation.

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