Fraction Calculator

What this fraction calculator does

Enter two fractions, pick an operation, and get the answer already reduced to lowest terms — plus the decimal equivalent. It handles proper fractions like 3/4, improper fractions like 7/4, and whole numbers. Behind the scenes it finds a common denominator for adding and subtracting, cross-multiplies for multiplying and dividing, then divides the top and bottom by their greatest common divisor so you never have to simplify by hand.

When you'd actually use it

Fractions show up more often than the math class made it seem. You're doubling a recipe that calls for 2/3 cup and need to know that's 1 1/3 cups. You're cutting a board and want 5/8 inch minus 3/16 inch. You're helping with homework and want to check the answer, not just get it. A sewing pattern, a woodworking plan, or a set of engineering drawings all live in fractions of an inch, and this saves you from the common trap of adding numerators and denominators straight across (1/2 + 1/3 is not 2/5).

A quick worked example

Say you want 1/2 + 1/3. The tool rewrites both over the denominator 6, giving 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6, which is already in lowest terms and equals about 0.833. For 3/4 ÷ 1/2 it flips the second fraction and multiplies: 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4, then reduces to 3/2, or 1 1/2. The reduced form is what you want on a plan; the decimal is handy for a tape measure or a calculator that only speaks decimals.

How to use it

1. Type the numerator and denominator of your first fraction into the top boxes (use a whole number like 2 as 2/1).
2. Choose the operation: add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
3. Enter the second fraction in the next pair of boxes.
4. Read the result — it shows the simplified fraction, an improper-to-mixed form where it applies, and the decimal value.

FAQ

Does it reduce the answer for me?

Yes. Every result is automatically simplified to lowest terms by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, so 6/8 comes back as 3/4.

Can I use mixed numbers like 1 1/2?

Convert a mixed number to an improper fraction first: 1 1/2 becomes 3/2 (multiply the whole number by the denominator and add the numerator). The tool then handles it normally.

What happens if I divide by zero?

A denominator of zero, or dividing by the fraction 0, has no defined value, so the calculator won't return a number for it. Double-check that no bottom box is left at zero.

Is it free, and is my input private?

It's free and ad-supported. All the math runs inside your browser, so nothing you type is uploaded or stored anywhere.