Fraction Simplifier

The Fraction Simplifier reduces any fraction to its lowest terms by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), and can also convert between improper fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. Enter any fraction like 24/36 and instantly see it reduced to its simplest equivalent form, 2/3, along with the step of what number both sides were divided by. Students use this tool constantly for arithmetic and algebra homework, since simplifying fractions correctly is a prerequisite for comparing fractions, adding or subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, and getting full credit on math assignments where an unsimplified but numerically correct answer is often marked wrong. Teachers and tutors use it to quickly generate or verify answer keys. Outside the classroom, fractions show up constantly in cooking (scaling a recipe that calls for 3/4 cup by a factor of 1.5), construction and woodworking (adding up measurements like 5/16 inch and 3/8 inch on a tape measure), and finance (expressing a probability or odds ratio in simplest form). The core method is straightforward: find the greatest common divisor of the numerator and denominator, then divide both by it. For 24/36, the GCD is 12, so dividing both by 12 gives 2/3, which cannot be reduced further because 2 and 3 share no common factors other than 1 — this is the definition of a fraction being in "lowest terms" or "simplest form." For larger numbers, finding the GCD by hand (via prime factorization or the Euclidean algorithm) becomes tedious and error-prone, which is exactly the kind of repetitive arithmetic this tool eliminates instantly and reliably. Beyond simplification, the tool handles the conversions that trip students up most: turning an improper fraction like 11/4 into the mixed number 2¾, or the reverse; and converting a fraction to its decimal equivalent by long division (11/4 = 2.75), which is essential when you need to compare a fraction against a decimal measurement or plug it into a calculator that only accepts decimal input. When adding fractions with different denominators, the tool can also help by first finding a common denominator so the numerators become directly comparable and addable — a step many students skip or get wrong, leading to answers that are numerically incorrect even when the final simplification step is done correctly. All calculation happens instantly in your browser, so it's safe to use for homework, lesson planning, or any calculation involving measurements you'd rather not upload anywhere. Pair it with the Scientific Calculator for more general arithmetic, and with the Percentage Calculator when you need to convert a simplified fraction into a percentage for a report or grade.