Fraction Calculator

How to use the Fraction Calculator

1. Enter the numerator and denominator of your first fraction.
2. Choose an operation (simplify, add, subtract, multiply, or divide) and enter a second fraction if needed.
3. View the result, which is automatically simplified to its lowest terms.
4. Review the step-by-step breakdown to understand how the answer was reached.

Why showing the steps matters more here than in most calculators

Fraction arithmetic is one of the few areas of basic math where seeing how an answer was reached matters as much as the answer itself, especially for students. A correct final answer with no visible working doesn't help someone understand where their own by-hand attempt went wrong. This tool shows the common-denominator step, the arithmetic on the numerators, and the final simplification separately, specifically so it's useful for checking homework, not just for getting a quick answer.

Frequently asked questions

Does it simplify the final answer automatically?

Yes, results are always reduced to lowest terms, and mixed-number results are shown alongside the improper-fraction form.

Can it handle mixed numbers as input, not just simple fractions?

Yes. Enter a mixed number directly (like 2 3/4) and it converts to an improper fraction internally before calculating, then converts back for the final display.

What operations does it support?

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, each with full step-by-step working shown.