What Is a Fraction Calculator?
A fraction calculator adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides two fractions and automatically simplifies the result to its lowest terms — useful for homework, cooking measurements, or any task involving parts of a whole.
How to Use the Fraction Calculator
- Enter the numerator and denominator of the first fraction.
- Choose an operation: add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
- Enter the numerator and denominator of the second fraction.
- See the simplified result and decimal equivalent instantly.
Fraction Formulas
After the operation, the result is simplified by dividing both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
Worked Example
Common denominator method: (1×3 + 1×2) / (2×3) = 5/6
5/6 is already in lowest terms.
Decimal equivalent: 5 ÷ 6 ≈ 0.8333
Understanding Your Results
The result is automatically simplified to lowest terms by dividing out the greatest common divisor of the numerator and denominator. The decimal equivalent is also shown for quick reference or comparison.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding or subtracting fractions without finding a common denominator first.
- Forgetting to simplify the final answer to lowest terms.
- Mixing up multiplication (multiply straight across) with division (flip the second fraction, then multiply).
Frequently Asked Questions
Convert both fractions to a common denominator (the product of the two denominators works, though the least common denominator gives smaller numbers), then add the numerators.
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal (flipped version) of the second fraction, then simplify.
Divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD) until no common factor remains.
Yes — enter a negative sign on the numerator or denominator and the calculator will handle it correctly.
The calculator shows the simplified fraction as-is (e.g., 7/6); you can convert it to a mixed number (1 1/6) manually if needed.