Fraction Calculator

Add, subtract, multiply or divide two fractions or mixed numbers. The answer is simplified automatically and shown as a mixed number and a decimal, with the steps.

Examples: 3/4, 2 1/3, -5/8, 0.25
Answer (simplified)
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Mixed number–
Decimal–

    How to work with fractions

    A fraction has a numerator (top) and a denominator (bottom). The denominator says how many equal parts a whole is split into, and the numerator says how many of those parts you have. 3/4 means three of four equal parts.

    The four operations

    OperationRuleExample
    Adda/b + c/d = (ad + bc) / bd1/2 + 1/3 = 5/6
    Subtracta/b − c/d = (ad − bc) / bd1/2 − 1/3 = 1/6
    Multiplya/b × c/d = ac / bd1/2 × 1/3 = 1/6
    Dividea/b ÷ c/d = ad / bc1/2 ÷ 1/3 = 3/2

    After each step, simplify by dividing the top and bottom by their greatest common factor. The GCF calculator shows how.

    Worked example with mixed numbers

    Multiply 1 1/2 by 2/3:

    1. Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction: 1 1/2 = 3/2.
    2. Multiply tops and bottoms: 3/2 × 2/3 = 6/6.
    3. Simplify: 6/6 = 1.

    Fractions in real life

    • Cooking: halving a recipe that needs 3/4 cup of flour gives 3/4 × 1/2 = 3/8 cup.
    • Woodworking: adding 5/8 inch and 3/16 inch gives 13/16 inch.
    • Time: 1 1/2 hours plus 3/4 of an hour is 2 1/4 hours.

    Last reviewed October 2026.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I enter a mixed number?

    Type the whole number, a space, then the fraction, for example 2 3/4. Negative mixed numbers work too: -1 1/2. You can also enter whole numbers and decimals like 0.75.

    How do I add fractions with different denominators?

    Rewrite both fractions with a common denominator, then add the numerators. For 1/4 + 1/6, the least common denominator is 12, so 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12.

    How do I divide fractions?

    Flip the second fraction and multiply. 3/4 ÷ 1/2 becomes 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4, which simplifies to 3/2 or 1 1/2. People remember this as "keep, change, flip".

    What does simplifying a fraction mean?

    Dividing the top and bottom by their greatest common factor until nothing else divides both. 8/12 simplifies to 2/3 because both numbers divide by 4.

    What is an improper fraction?

    A fraction whose top number is bigger than its bottom number, like 7/4. It can also be written as a mixed number: 7/4 = 1 3/4. The calculator shows both forms.