Fraction Calculator

Work with fractions without having to calculate every step by hand. This tool can add, subtract, multiply, divide, simplify, convert, and compare fractions, including mixed numbers, while showing an exact simplified answer and the working behind it.

You can enter regular fractions, improper fractions, whole numbers, or mixed numbers. Results update automatically as you type, so there is no separate calculate button to press.

What You Can Calculate

The tool combines several common fraction operations in one place. Choose the mode that matches the problem you are trying to solve.

You can:

• Add two fractions
• Subtract one fraction from another
• Multiply fractions
• Divide fractions
• Calculate with mixed numbers
• Work with proper and improper fractions
• Simplify a fraction to lowest terms
• Convert a mixed number to an improper fraction
• Convert a fraction to a mixed number
• Convert a fraction to a decimal
• Convert a fraction to a percentage
• Convert a decimal to a fraction
• Convert a percentage to a fraction
• Convert repeating decimals to exact fractions
• Compare two fractions
• See step-by-step working
• Copy the finished result

This makes the calculator useful for homework, checking handwritten calculations, practicing fraction rules, and solving everyday measurements or ratios.

How to Use the Calculator

Start by choosing one of the four available modes: Calculate, Simplify & Convert, Decimal to Fraction, or Compare.

For regular fraction calculations, enter the numerator and denominator of the first value. Do the same for the second value, then choose +, −, ×, or ÷.

If you are entering a mixed number such as 2 3/4, place 2 in the Whole field, 3 in the Numerator field, and 4 in the Denominator field.

Leave the Whole field empty when you are working with a regular fraction such as 3/4.

The answer changes automatically whenever you change an input or operation.

Understanding Numerators and Denominators

A fraction contains two main parts.

In 3/5:

• 3 is the numerator.
• 5 is the denominator.

The numerator tells you how many parts are being considered. The denominator tells you how many equal parts make up the whole.

The denominator cannot be zero. A value such as 4/0 is undefined, so the calculator will ask you to enter a non-zero denominator.

Adding Fractions

Fractions with the same denominator are straightforward to add.

For example:

2/7 + 3/7 = 5/7

The denominator stays the same because both fractions already refer to equal-sized parts.

When the denominators are different, they first need a common denominator.

For example:

1/2 + 1/3

The least common denominator of 2 and 3 is 6.

Convert the fractions:

1/2 = 3/6

1/3 = 2/6

Then add the numerators:

3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6

The tool performs this common-denominator calculation automatically and shows the process in the step-by-step area.

Subtracting Fractions

Subtraction follows a similar rule.

If the denominators match, subtract the numerators while keeping the denominator.

For example:

5/8 − 2/8 = 3/8

With unlike denominators, first convert both values to equivalent fractions with a common denominator.

For example:

3/4 − 1/6

A common denominator is 12.

3/4 = 9/12

1/6 = 2/12

Now subtract:

9/12 − 2/12 = 7/12

The result is then reduced if further simplification is possible.

Multiplying Fractions

Multiplying fractions does not require a common denominator.

Multiply the numerators together and then multiply the denominators.

For example:

2/3 × 4/5

Multiply the top numbers:

2 × 4 = 8

Multiply the bottom numbers:

3 × 5 = 15

So:

2/3 × 4/5 = 8/15

The answer is automatically reduced to lowest terms when necessary.

Dividing Fractions

To divide fractions, keep the first fraction and multiply it by the reciprocal of the second.

For example:

3/4 ÷ 2/5

Flip the second fraction:

2/5 → 5/2

Then multiply:

3/4 × 5/2 = 15/8

The exact result is:

15/8

As a mixed number, that is:

1 7/8

Division by zero is not possible. If the second fraction represents zero, the tool will display an error instead of producing an invalid answer.

Working With Mixed Numbers

A mixed number combines a whole number and a fraction.

For example:

2 1/3

The tool accepts mixed numbers directly, so you do not need to convert them before entering them.

During a calculation, mixed numbers are converted internally to improper fractions.

For example:

2 1/3

Multiply the whole number by the denominator:

2 × 3 = 6

Add the numerator:

6 + 1 = 7

So:

2 1/3 = 7/3

The step-by-step working shows this conversion when it is needed.

You can also calculate with one mixed number and one regular fraction.

Proper and Improper Fractions

A proper fraction has a numerator smaller than its denominator.

Examples include:

2/5, 3/8, 7/10

An improper fraction has a numerator equal to or greater than its denominator.

Examples include:

7/4, 9/5, 12/12

Improper fractions can often be written as mixed numbers. For example:

7/4 = 1 3/4

The calculator can work directly with either form.

Simplifying Fractions

A fraction is in simplest form, or lowest terms, when its numerator and denominator have no common factor greater than 1.

Consider:

42/56

Both numbers can be divided by 14.

42 ÷ 14 = 3

56 ÷ 14 = 4

Therefore:

42/56 = 3/4

The Simplify & Convert mode finds the greatest common factor and reduces the fraction automatically.

This is useful when you have an answer such as 18/24, 35/49, or 120/160 and want its simplest equivalent form.

Converting Between Fraction Forms

The Simplify & Convert section gives you several representations of the same value.

For a fraction such as:

7/4

you may see:

Simplified fraction: 7/4

Mixed number: 1 3/4

Decimal: 1.75

Percentage: 175%

These formats represent the same numerical value in different ways.

For a mixed number, simply enter the whole number, numerator, and denominator. The tool converts it to an improper fraction and displays the other equivalent forms.

Converting a Decimal to a Fraction

A terminating decimal can be converted by writing its digits over the correct power of 10 and reducing the result.

For example:

0.75

Because there are two decimal places:

0.75 = 75/100

Reduce by dividing the numerator and denominator by 25:

75/100 = 3/4

You can enter values such as:

• 0.5
• 0.25
• 0.75
• 1.5
• 2.125

The exact reduced fraction appears automatically.

Converting Percentages to Fractions

A percentage means a value out of 100.

For example:

25% = 25/100 = 1/4

Similarly:

12.5% = 12.5/100 = 1/8

You can type the percentage symbol directly into the decimal conversion field. The tool converts the percentage to its exact fraction and reduces it to lowest terms.

Converting Repeating Decimals

Repeating decimals can also represent exact fractions.

Use parentheses around the repeating digits.

For example:

0.(3) means 0.3333… and converts to:

1/3

Another supported format is:

0.1(6)

This represents a decimal in which the 6 continues repeating and converts to:

1/6

You can also enter repeating groups containing more than one digit, such as:

0.(27)

The calculator uses the repeating portion to produce an exact fraction rather than relying on a rounded decimal approximation.

Comparing Two Fractions

The Compare mode determines whether the first value is greater than, smaller than, or equal to the second.

For example:

3/4 vs. 5/8

Instead of depending on rounded decimal values, the comparison can be made using cross-products.

Multiply:

3 × 8 = 24

and:

5 × 4 = 20

Because:

24 > 20

it follows that:

3/4 > 5/8

The comparison result uses one of three symbols:

> means greater than.

< means less than.

= means equal to.

Equivalent fractions are recognized as equal even when they look different. For example, 1/2 and 3/6 have the same value.

What the Result Shows

For normal calculations and conversions, the result area gives you more than a single answer.

Depending on the value, you can see:

• The simplified fraction
• The mixed-number form
• The decimal equivalent
• The percentage equivalent
• A short explanation of the result
• Step-by-step working

For comparisons, the result area instead shows the relationship between the two fractions along with their decimal values and cross-products.

You can also use Copy result when you want to save or paste the finished calculation elsewhere.

How Step-by-Step Working Helps

Seeing the final number is useful, but understanding how it was produced can be even more important when learning fractions.

For addition and subtraction, the working shows how a least common denominator is used.

For multiplication, it shows the numerator and denominator multiplication followed by reduction.

For division, it shows the reciprocal method.

For mixed numbers, it shows the conversion to improper fractions when needed.

For simplification, it identifies the common factor used to reduce the fraction.

For comparison, it shows both cross-products so you can see why one value is larger than another.

This makes the result easier to check against your own written work.

Negative Fractions

Negative values are supported.

For a regular fraction, you can place the minus sign on the numerator. For example:

-3/5

For a negative mixed number, place the minus sign on the whole-number part.

For example:

-2 1/4

The negative sign applies to the complete mixed value.

Avoid entering a negative numerator together with a non-zero whole-number part. The tool will ask you to place the negative sign on the whole number instead.

Common Fraction Examples

Here are a few problems you can use to understand the different modes.

Adding unlike fractions

1/2 + 1/3 = 5/6

Multiplying mixed numbers

2 1/4 × 1 2/3 = 15/4 = 3 3/4

Simplifying

42/56 = 3/4

Decimal conversion

0.75 = 3/4

Percentage conversion

25% = 1/4

Repeating decimal conversion

0.(3) = 1/3

Comparison

3/4 > 5/8

These examples cover several of the most common fraction tasks students encounter.

When This Tool Is Useful

Fractions appear in many areas of school and everyday life.

You may use the calculator when working with:

• Arithmetic homework
• Pre-algebra and algebra
• Ratios and proportions
• Measurements
• Cooking quantities
• Length, area, and volume
• Time calculations
• Probability
• Test preparation
• Fraction-to-decimal conversions
• Percent problems

It can also be useful for checking an answer after solving a problem manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter mixed numbers?

Yes. Enter the whole-number part in the Whole field, followed by the numerator and denominator. For 3 2/5, enter 3 as the whole number, 2 as the numerator, and 5 as the denominator.

Can I leave the Whole field empty?

Yes. Leave it blank when entering a regular fraction such as 4/7. The Whole field is only needed for whole or mixed-number values.

Does the calculator simplify answers automatically?

Yes. Fraction results are reduced to lowest terms automatically using the greatest common factor.

Can it add fractions with different denominators?

Yes. The tool finds a least common denominator, converts both fractions to equivalent forms, adds the numerators, and simplifies the result.

Can it calculate improper fractions?

Yes. Proper fractions, improper fractions, whole numbers, and mixed numbers are supported.

How do I divide two fractions?

Choose the division symbol and enter both values. The working shows the standard method of keeping the first fraction, taking the reciprocal of the second, and multiplying.

Can a denominator be zero?

No. Division by zero is undefined, so a fraction cannot have zero as its denominator. The calculator displays an error if zero is entered there.

Can I divide by a fraction equal to zero?

No. The second value in a division problem cannot equal zero. For example, dividing by 0/5 is not valid.

Can I turn a decimal into a fraction?

Yes. Enter a terminating decimal such as 0.75 in the Decimal to Fraction section. The result is converted to an exact reduced fraction.

Can I convert a percentage into a fraction?

Yes. You can enter a value such as 12.5% directly. The percentage is divided by 100 and reduced to an equivalent fraction.

Does it support repeating decimals?

Yes. Put the repeating digits inside parentheses. For example, enter 0.(3) for 0.3333… or 0.1(6) when only the 6 repeats.

How can I compare two fractions?

Choose Compare and enter both values. The result shows whether the first fraction is greater than, less than, or equal to the second. Cross-products are also displayed to explain the comparison.

Why does the result show both a fraction and a mixed number?

An improper fraction and a mixed number can represent the same value. For example, 7/4 and 1 3/4 are equivalent. Showing both forms makes it easier to use the format required for your problem.

Why is the decimal sometimes repeating?

Some fractions cannot be written as a terminating decimal. For example, 1/3 produces a repeating decimal. The fraction itself remains exact even when its decimal representation repeats.

Do I need to press a Calculate button?

No. Results update automatically as you enter or change values.

Can I copy my answer?

Yes. Once a valid result is available, use the Copy result option to copy the calculated answer.