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Fraction Calculator

Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions with steps.

Type fractions like 3/4, mixed numbers like 2 1/3, whole numbers like 5 or decimals like 0.25.

Result

13/6

Mixed number
2 1/6
Decimal
2.1666666667

Steps

  1. Write as fractions: 3/2 and 2/3
  2. Common denominator 6: 9/6 + 4/6
  3. Add the tops: 13/6

When to use it

Use this calculator to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers, and to see the working. It is ideal for checking maths homework, scaling recipes, measuring wood and fabric, or any time you need an exact answer instead of a rounded decimal.

How to use it

  1. Type the First fraction, such as 1 1/2.
  2. Choose the Operation: +, −, × or ÷.
  3. Type the Second fraction, such as 2/3.
  4. Read the Result as a simplified fraction, the Mixed number and the Decimal.
  5. Follow the Steps to see how the answer was worked out.

Worked example

Add 1 1/2 and 2/3. First, the tool writes the mixed number as a fraction: 1 1/2 becomes 3/2. Then it finds a common denominator of 6, turning the fractions into 9/6 and 4/6. Adding the tops gives 13/6. As a mixed number that is 2 1/6, and as a decimal about 2.1667.

For a recipe, you might need 2/3 of a 1 1/2 cup measure. Choose × and the result is 1, exactly one cup.

How each operation works

  • Adding and subtracting: make the bottoms (denominators) the same, then add or subtract the tops.
  • Multiplying: multiply the tops together and the bottoms together.
  • Dividing: flip the second fraction and multiply.
  • Simplifying: divide the top and bottom by their largest common factor.

Fractions in everyday life

Carpenters measure in sixteenths of an inch, cooks in halves and thirds of a cup, and musicians count beats in quarters and eighths. Working in fractions avoids the small rounding errors that creep in when you convert to decimals and back.

Tips

  • Use the steps to learn. Cover the answer and try each step yourself, then check.
  • Use fractions for exact work. Decimals like 0.333 are rounded, but 1/3 is exact.
  • Convert decimals quickly. Type 0.75 as the first value and add 0 to see it as 3/4.

Common mistakes

  • Adding the bottoms. 1/2 + 1/3 is not 2/5. Find a common denominator first: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.
  • Forgetting to turn mixed numbers into fractions. Always rewrite 1 1/2 as 3/2 before multiplying or dividing.
  • Leaving answers unsimplified. 6/8 should be written as 3/4.
  • Missing the space in mixed numbers. 11/2 means eleven halves, while 1 1/2 means one and a half.

Frequently asked questions

How do I type a mixed number?

Put a space between the whole number and the fraction, like 2 1/3. You can also type plain fractions like 3/4, whole numbers like 5, or decimals like 0.25.

Is the answer simplified?

Yes. The result is always given in lowest terms, along with the mixed number and the decimal, so you can use whichever form your teacher asks for.

How do you divide fractions?

Flip the second fraction upside down and multiply. For example, 1/2 ÷ 3/4 becomes 1/2 × 4/3 = 4/6, which simplifies to 2/3. The steps show this for you.

Can I use negative fractions?

Yes. Type a minus sign in front, such as −3/4 or -1 1/2.

Why is the decimal so long?

Some fractions, like 1/3 or 13/6, go on forever as decimals. The tool rounds to 10 decimal places, so the fraction is the exact answer.

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