Fraction calculator with steps
Choose a tool, enter your values, and tap Calculate.
Use whole numbers for mixed fractions, or leave the whole-number box blank if you only want a simple fraction.
Fraction Calculator
Add, subtract, multiply, divide, simplify, compare, and convert fractions from one compact page.
Add, subtract, multiply, divide, simplify, convert, and compare
Shows exact answers in lowest terms, mixed number form, and decimal form
Works with proper fractions, improper fractions, whole numbers, and decimals
✓
Result
Enter your values and press Calculate.
The exact answer, simplified form, mixed number, decimal value, and steps will appear here.
Lowest terms—
Mixed number—
Decimal—
How to calculate
- Select a calculator mode and enter your values.
- Tap Calculate to see the working steps.
Fraction calculator with steps, formulas, and examples
This page is designed for people who want a quick answer and for people who want to understand the method. You can use it as an add fractions calculator, subtract fractions calculator, multiply fractions calculator, divide fractions calculator, simplify fractions calculator, compare fractions calculator, or fraction to decimal calculator from the same screen.
Exact results
Answers stay in exact fraction form, then convert to mixed number and decimal form when helpful.
Lowest terms
Every fraction result is reduced automatically so the final answer is easier to read and reuse.
Visual support
Equivalent fractions, charts, and worked examples make the result easier to verify at a glance.
One-page coverage
Conversion, comparison, simplification, and practice examples are kept together so fewer follow-up searches are needed.
Fraction formulas
These are the core formulas behind adding fractions, subtracting fractions, multiplying fractions, dividing fractions, simplifying fractions, and comparing fractions.
Adding fractions
a/b + c/d = (ad + bc) / bd
If the denominators are different, rewrite both fractions with the least common denominator before adding the numerators.
Subtracting fractions
a/b - c/d = (ad - bc) / bd
Use the same denominator first, subtract the numerators, then simplify the result if possible.
Multiplying fractions
a/b × c/d = ac / bd
Multiply straight across, then reduce the answer to lowest terms or convert it to a mixed number.
Dividing fractions
a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c
Flip the second fraction to its reciprocal, multiply, then simplify the answer.
Simplifying fractions
(a ÷ g) / (b ÷ g)
Find the greatest common factor g of the numerator and denominator, then divide both parts by g.
Comparing fractions
a/b ? c/d by comparing ad and bc
Cross-multiply or convert both fractions to decimals to decide which value is greater, smaller, or equal.
Fraction calculator examples
Use these worked examples to check common operations with unlike denominators, products, quotients, and simplified answers.
1/4 + 3/8
5/8
- Find the least common denominator: LCD(4, 8) = 8.
- Rewrite 1/4 as 2/8.
- Add the numerators: 2/8 + 3/8 = 5/8.
- The answer is already in lowest terms.
7/10 - 1/5
1/2
- Rewrite 1/5 as 2/10 so both fractions use tenths.
- Subtract the numerators: 7/10 - 2/10 = 5/10.
- Simplify by dividing the numerator and denominator by 5.
- Final answer: 1/2.
3/5 × 10/9
2/3
- Multiply the numerators: 3 × 10 = 30.
- Multiply the denominators: 5 × 9 = 45.
- The raw product is 30/45.
- Reduce by dividing both parts by 15 to get 2/3.
5/6 ÷ 7/8
20/21
- Keep the first fraction and flip the second fraction to 8/7.
- Multiply: (5 × 8) / (6 × 7) = 40/42.
- Simplify 40/42 by dividing numerator and denominator by 2.
- Final answer: 20/21.
Equivalent fractions chart
Equivalent fractions look different but represent the same value. This quick chart helps when you need a shared denominator or a faster comparison.
| Base fraction | ×2 | ×3 | ×4 | ×5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 2/4 | 3/6 | 4/8 | 5/10 |
| 1/3 | 2/6 | 3/9 | 4/12 | 5/15 |
| 2/3 | 4/6 | 6/9 | 8/12 | 10/15 |
| 3/4 | 6/8 | 9/12 | 12/16 | 15/20 |
| 2/5 | 4/10 | 6/15 | 8/20 | 10/25 |
| 5/8 | 10/16 | 15/24 | 20/32 | 25/40 |
Common fraction to decimal and percent table
This table is useful when you need a quick mental estimate before using the full fraction to decimal calculator or percentage calculator.
| Fraction | Decimal | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 0.5 | 50% |
| 1/3 | 0.3333… | 33.333…% |
| 1/4 | 0.25 | 25% |
| 2/5 | 0.4 | 40% |
| 3/5 | 0.6 | 60% |
| 5/8 | 0.625 | 62.5% |
| 3/4 | 0.75 | 75% |
| 7/8 | 0.875 | 87.5% |
Where this fraction calculator helps most
Fractions appear in more places than classroom math. These common use cases also support long-tail searches such as fraction calculator for recipe measurements, fraction calculator for mixed numbers, and fraction calculator for decimal conversion.
Schoolwork and practice
Check homework, learn the method, and verify each step when adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing fractions.
Cooking and recipe scaling
Double, halve, or compare ingredient amounts such as 1/2 cup, 3/4 teaspoon, or 5/8 litre.
Measurements and design
Work with inch fractions, mixed measurements, and quick decimal equivalents when precision matters.
Everyday comparisons
Convert fractions to decimals or percentages for reports, stock levels, discounts, and simple data checks.
Frequently asked questions
These answers cover the most common fraction calculator questions people search for before or after using the tool.
How do you add fractions with different denominators?
Find the least common denominator, rewrite each fraction so both denominators match, add the numerators, and simplify the result if possible.
How do you simplify a fraction to lowest terms?
Find the greatest common factor of the numerator and denominator, then divide both parts by that factor. If no common factor larger than 1 exists, the fraction is already simplified.
What is the easiest way to divide fractions?
Keep the first fraction, flip the second fraction to its reciprocal, multiply across, and then reduce the answer.
Can this fraction calculator convert fractions to decimals?
Yes. The page includes fraction-to-decimal and decimal-to-fraction conversion tools, along with mixed number conversion.
How do you compare two fractions quickly?
You can compare them by cross-multiplying, finding a common denominator, or converting both values to decimals. This page shows the comparison sign and the exact decimal values.
What is an improper fraction?
An improper fraction has a numerator that is greater than or equal to the denominator, such as 9/4. It can also be written as a mixed number, such as 2 1/4.
Why is it useful to see the steps of a fraction calculation?
Visible steps help you confirm the method, catch mistakes, study the rule behind each operation, and trust the answer more easily.
Does the result stay in exact fraction form?
Yes. The calculator keeps the exact fraction answer, simplifies it to lowest terms, and also shows mixed number and decimal output when relevant.
Related math tools
If you also work with percentages or roots, these pages pair well with this fraction calculator.
References
The formulas, definitions, and teaching patterns on this page were cross-checked with the following public resources.