The same value, written as small as it goes
Enter a fraction and get its simplest equivalent form, along with the number both parts were divided by.
Simplifying does not change what a fraction is worth — 50/100 and 1/2 are the same amount. It changes how easy it is to read and work with.
The method is to find the largest number that divides both the top and bottom, then divide by it once. That number is the greatest common divisor, and finding it is the whole job.
What this calculator shows
- The fraction in lowest terms
- The greatest common divisor that was used to reduce it
- Instant recognition when a fraction is already as simple as it gets
What to keep in mind
- Works with whole-number numerators and denominators.
- A fraction is in lowest terms when the only number dividing both parts is 1.
FAQs
How do I know a fraction cannot be simplified further?
When the greatest common divisor is 1. 7/9 is already there — nothing but 1 divides both.
Is 0.75 the same as 3/4?
Yes, exactly. Some fractions convert to tidy decimals; 1/3 becomes 0.333… and never terminates.
Why does simplifying matter?
Smaller numbers are easier to compare and calculate with. Deciding whether 17/51 beats 1/3 is hard until you notice 17/51 simplifies to exactly 1/3.
Can I simplify a fraction with a negative sign?
Yes, and convention puts the sign on the numerator. −6/8 becomes −3/4 rather than 3/−4.
Worked example
A measurement from a tape measure
Input: 12/16
Output: 3/4
Note: Both parts share a factor of 4. This is exactly why imperial tape measures are marked in quarters, eighths and sixteenths.