Does it simplify automatically?

Yes. Results are reduced to lowest terms. You also get mixed-number and decimal forms.

Yes. All calculations happen in your browser—no uploads, no storage.

What about division by zero?

If any denominator is 0 or you divide by 0, the tool will show a clear error message and no calculation is performed.

Fraction Calculator – Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide

Enter whole numbers, fractions (e.g., -7/4), or mixed numbers (e.g., 2 3/5). The tool simplifies automatically and shows steps.

First value

Formats: 5, -7/4, 2 3/5

Operation

Second value

Supports negatives and mixed numbers

Decimal places

Show steps Prefer mixed-number form

Result (fraction):: Results will appear here.
Result (mixed):: —
Result (decimal):: —

Privacy: Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

How the Fraction Calculator Works

This tool converts any inputs (whole numbers, simple fractions, mixed numbers) to improper fractions, performs the selected operation, and then reduces the result to lowest terms using the greatest common divisor (GCD). You’ll also see the mixed-number form and a decimal approximation.

Operations

Add/Subtract: Uses a common denominator (least common multiple of the two denominators) to combine numerators, then simplifies.
Multiply: Multiply numerators together and denominators together, then simplify.
Divide: Multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction (i.e., flip it), then simplify.

Example

Compute \( 1 \tfrac{1}{2} + \tfrac{3}{8} \): Convert to improper forms: \( \tfrac{3}{2} + \tfrac{3}{8} \). LCM of 2 and 8 is 8, so \( \tfrac{12}{8} + \tfrac{3}{8} = \tfrac{15}{8} \). Mixed form is \( 1 \tfrac{7}{8} \).

Frequently Asked Questions

What formats can I enter?

Whole numbers (5), fractions (-7/4), and mixed numbers (2 3/5). Extra spaces are fine.

Can it handle negatives?

Yes. You can enter negative whole numbers, fractions, or mixed numbers (e.g., -2 1/3).

Will it reduce answers?

Yes—results are always simplified to lowest terms, and we also show a mixed-number and decimal version.

Is my data private?

Yes—everything happens locally in your browser.

Understanding Fractions

A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of two numbers:

Numerator: the top number, showing how many parts we have.
Denominator: the bottom number, showing into how many equal parts the whole is divided.

Types of Fractions

Proper fraction: numerator smaller than denominator (e.g., \( \tfrac{3}{4} \)).
Improper fraction: numerator larger than or equal to denominator (e.g., \( \tfrac{9}{5} \)).
Mixed number: whole number plus a proper fraction (e.g., \( 1 \tfrac{2}{3} \)).

Why Simplify Fractions?

Simplifying means dividing numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example:

\( \tfrac{12}{16} = \tfrac{12 \div 4}{16 \div 4} = \tfrac{3}{4} \)

This makes fractions easier to understand and compare.

Fractions in Daily Life

Cooking: Recipes often use halves, thirds, or quarters.
Construction: Measurements use eighths and sixteenths of an inch.
Probability: A fair coin has a probability of \( \tfrac{1}{2} \) for heads or tails.

Quick Conversion Tip

To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide numerator by denominator. For example, \( \tfrac{7}{8} = 0.875 \).