Fraction Calculator
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide two fractions and get a simplified result.
Comment ça marche
This calculator adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides two fractions and automatically reduces the result to its simplest form.
Adding or subtracting fractions requires a common denominator first: to add 1/4 + 1/6, convert both to a denominator of 12 (a common multiple of 4 and 6), giving 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12. The calculator handles this by cross-multiplying denominators, so you never have to find the common denominator yourself.
Multiplying fractions is more direct — multiply the numerators together and the denominators together: 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12, which simplifies to 1/2. Dividing fractions flips the second fraction and multiplies: 2/3 ÷ 3/4 becomes 2/3 × 4/3 = 8/9.
Every result is automatically reduced using the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator — so 6/12 always comes back as 1/2, never left in its unsimplified form. The decimal equivalent is shown alongside the simplified fraction for a quick sanity check.
Fractions with a numerator larger than the denominator (like 7/4) are called improper fractions — this calculator keeps results in that form rather than converting to a mixed number (1¾), since improper fractions are easier to continue calculating with.
Fraction math shows up constantly outside the classroom: doubling or halving a recipe (¾ cup + ¾ cup), splitting materials for a construction or DIY project, or working with measurements given in fractional inches on a tape measure.
Two fractions can look completely different but represent the same value — 2/4, 3/6, and 50/100 are all equivalent to 1/2, just written with different numerators and denominators. This is exactly why simplification matters: reducing to lowest terms gives every equivalent fraction the same, unambiguous final form.
Does it simplify the result?
Yes, the answer is always reduced to lowest terms and also shown as a decimal.
How do I tell which of two fractions is larger?
Convert both to a common denominator (or to decimals) and compare directly — 3/5 and 5/8 aren't obviously comparable until converted, but as decimals (0.6 vs 0.625) the comparison is immediate.
What are equivalent fractions?
Fractions that represent the same value despite different numerators and denominators, like 1/2, 2/4, and 50/100 — multiplying or dividing both parts of a fraction by the same number always produces an equivalent fraction.
How do I add fractions with different denominators?
Cross-multiply to get a common denominator: a/b + c/d becomes (a×d + c×b) / (b×d), then simplify. This calculator does that step automatically.
What is an improper fraction?
A fraction where the numerator is larger than the denominator, like 7/4 — it represents a value greater than 1, equivalent to the mixed number 1¾.
How do I convert a fraction to a decimal?
Divide the numerator by the denominator: 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75. This calculator shows the decimal equivalent automatically alongside every result.
Can I use negative fractions?
Yes — enter a negative sign on the numerator (or denominator) of either fraction, and the sign carries through the calculation and simplification correctly.
Why does the calculator always simplify the answer?
A simplified fraction (lowest terms) is the standard, unambiguous way to express a fraction's value — 2/4 and 1/2 are mathematically identical, but 1/2 is the conventional way to write it.
What's the difference between a mixed number and an improper fraction?
A mixed number combines a whole number and a fraction (1¾); an improper fraction expresses the same value entirely as a fraction (7/4). They're interchangeable — this calculator works in improper-fraction form.
How do I subtract a larger fraction from a smaller one?
The calculator handles this the same way as any subtraction — the result will simply be negative, indicating the second fraction was larger than the first.
What if I need to work with three or more fractions at once?
Combine two at a time — calculate the first two fractions, then use that result as one of the inputs in a second calculation with the third fraction, and so on.