Fraction Calculator — Add, Subtract, Multiply & Divide with Steps
Calculate fractions online free — add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions with step-by-step solution shown. Automatically simplifies results to lowest terms. No sign-up required.
Last updated: June 2026
Result
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Simplified
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Decimal
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As a fraction
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About this tool
Fractions made simple
Fractions trip up learners precisely because the rules differ for each operation — you find a common denominator to add and subtract, but multiply straight across and flip-and-multiply to divide. This fraction calculator handles all four operations and, crucially, shows the working so you can see how the answer was reached rather than just trusting it.
Enter two fractions, choose an operation, and the calculator displays the intermediate step (for example, converting to a common denominator) before reducing the result to its lowest terms using the greatest common divisor. It also gives the decimal equivalent so you can sanity-check the size of the answer. A dedicated simplify tab reduces any single fraction and shows the GCD it divided by.
Two conversion tabs round out the tool: fraction to decimal divides the numerator by the denominator, and decimal to fraction finds the simplest fraction that matches a decimal — exact for terminating values and a very close match for repeating ones. Everything runs in your browser instantly and privately, making this equally useful for homework, recipes, woodworking measurements or any situation where fractions appear.
How it works
Three quick steps — no account, nothing uploaded to a server.
Pick what you need
Calculate, simplify, or convert to and from decimals.
Enter your fractions
Type the numerators and denominators.
See the working
Get the simplified answer with each step shown.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I add or subtract fractions?
To add or subtract fractions you first give them a common denominator, then add or subtract the numerators. For example, 2/3 + 1/4 becomes 8/12 + 3/12 = 11/12. The calculator does this automatically and shows the intermediate step, then simplifies the answer to its lowest terms.
How does the calculator simplify fractions?
It finds the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator and divides both by it. For example 8/12 has a GCD of 4, so it simplifies to 2/3. The simplify tab shows the GCD it used so you can follow the working.
Can it handle improper fractions and whole numbers?
Yes. Improper fractions (where the numerator is larger than the denominator, like 11/4) are handled normally and simplified. If a result reduces to a whole number — for example 6/3 = 2 — it's shown as that whole number.
How do I convert a fraction to a decimal?
Divide the numerator by the denominator. The fraction-to-decimal tab does this and shows the decimal to several places. To go the other way, the decimal-to-fraction tab finds the simplest fraction that equals your decimal value.
Why is my decimal-to-fraction result an approximation?
Many decimals (like 0.333…) are repeating and can only be represented exactly as a fraction such as 1/3. The tool uses a continued-fraction method to find the simplest fraction that matches your input very closely, which is exact for terminating decimals and an excellent approximation for repeating ones.
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