Fraction Calculator
Add, subtract, multiply & divide fractions — simplified, with steps
Add, subtract, multiply or divide two fractions and get the answer in its lowest terms, shown as a simplified fraction, a mixed number and a decimal. The working is laid out step by step rather than hidden, so it's as useful for checking homework or teaching the method as it is for getting a quick answer.
Enter Two Fractions
Small box = whole number (for mixed numbers like 2½). Leave blank for simple fractions.
The step people forget: a common denominator
Multiplying and dividing fractions is mercifully simple — multiply straight across the top and bottom, or flip the second fraction and multiply to divide. Adding and subtracting is where it goes wrong, because you can't combine fractions until they're cut into the same-sized pieces. A half plus a third isn't two-fifths; you first rewrite them over a common denominator (sixths, here) to get three-sixths plus two-sixths, which is five-sixths.
A safe common denominator is always the two bottom numbers multiplied together, though a smaller one often exists. The last step is to simplify: divide the top and bottom by their largest common factor so the answer sits in its tidiest form. This calculator runs through each of those steps and shows them, which makes it a decent way to see the method rather than just the result.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add fractions with different denominators? ▼
Find a common denominator (multiply the two denominators), convert both fractions, then add the numerators. For example ½ + ⅓: common denominator 6 → 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6. The calculator shows each of these steps for you.
How do I multiply and divide fractions? ▼
To multiply, multiply the numerators together and the denominators together (½ × ⅓ = 1/6). To divide, flip the second fraction and multiply (½ ÷ ⅓ = ½ × 3/1 = 3/2). The calculator handles both automatically and simplifies the result.
How do I use mixed numbers like 2½? ▼
Put the whole number (2) in the small box on the left, and the fraction part (1 over 2) in the stacked boxes. The calculator converts it to an improper fraction internally and gives you back both a simplified fraction and a mixed number.
How do I simplify a fraction? ▼
Divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example 8/12: the GCD is 4, so 8÷4 / 12÷4 = 2/3. This calculator always returns answers fully simplified to lowest terms.
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