Fraction calculator with steps
Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers, with every step shown, the simplest form and a picture.
🧒 Kids: type two fractions, tap +, −, × or ÷, and read the steps. Then try it on paper!
Fraction calculator
What the calculator shows
Every answer comes with the steps a teacher would want to see: changing mixed numbers to improper fractions, finding a common denominator, the calculation itself, simplifying, and the mixed number. A bar picture shows the size of the answer when it is small enough to draw.
Use it to check homework, not to replace it. Ask your child to solve the problem first, then compare their working line by line. Most mistakes show up in one step, usually the common denominator or the simplifying.
Ready-made examples to try
Each link opens the calculator with the problem filled in.
- 1/2 + 1/3: Add with unlike denominators
- 3/4 − 1/6: Subtract with unlike denominators
- 2 1/3 + 1 3/4: Add mixed numbers
- 5 1/4 − 2 2/3: Subtract mixed numbers, with regrouping
- 2/3 × 3/4: Multiply two fractions
- 4 × 2/5: Multiply a whole number by a fraction
- 3/4 ÷ 1/8: Divide fractions: how many eighths in three quarters?
- 1 1/2 ÷ 3/4: Divide a mixed number by a fraction
Adding and subtracting fractions
Fractions can only be added when the pieces are the same size. So the first step is a common denominator: the smallest number both bottoms divide into.
- 1/2 + 1/3: the bottoms are 2 and 3. The smallest number in both the 2 and 3 times tables is 6.
- Rewrite: 1/2 = 3/6 and 1/3 = 2/6.
- Add the tops: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6. The bottom stays 6.
Subtracting works the same way: 3/4 − 1/6 = 9/12 − 2/12 = 7/12. The adding fractions lesson explains why with pictures.
Multiplying fractions
Multiply the tops, multiply the bottoms, then simplify. 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2. No common denominator is needed. A whole number is a fraction over 1: 4 × 2/5 = 4/1 × 2/5 = 8/5 = 1 3/5. See multiplying fractions.
Dividing fractions
Division asks how many of the second fraction fit into the first. The quick method is keep, change, flip: keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, and flip the second fraction upside down.
3/4 ÷ 1/8 = 3/4 × 8/1 = 24/4 = 6. That makes sense: six eighths fit into three quarters. For mixed numbers, the dividing mixed numbers calculator has more examples.
Mixed numbers and improper fractions
A mixed number like 2 1/3 has a whole-number part and a fraction part. To calculate, change it to an improper fraction: 2 1/3 = (2 × 3 + 1)/3 = 7/3. At the end, change back: 7/3 = 7 ÷ 3 = 2 r 1 = 2 1/3.
For multiplying mixed numbers, the multiplying mixed numbers calculator shows the area picture as well.
Simplifying the answer
An answer is in simplest form when the top and bottom share no factor except 1. Divide both by their greatest common factor: 18/24 ÷ 6/6 = 3/4. The simplifying fractions lesson shows how to find that factor quickly.
Common fraction mistakes the steps catch
- Adding the bottoms: 1/2 + 1/3 = 2/5. The steps show the common denominator, 6.
- Flipping the first fraction when dividing. The steps show the second fraction flipped.
- Leaving out the whole number of a mixed number. The first step shows the improper fraction.
- Not simplifying: 6/12 left as the answer. The last step shows 1/2.
Fraction operations by grade
| Grade | What children calculate | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 4 | Add and subtract with the same denominator; multiply a fraction by a whole number | 4.NF.B.3, 4.NF.B.4 |
| Grade 5 | Add and subtract with unlike denominators; multiply fractions; divide unit fractions and whole numbers | 5.NF.A.1, 5.NF.B.4, 5.NF.B.7 |
| Grade 6 | Divide fractions by fractions | 6.NS.A.1 |
In India, adding and subtracting fractions comes in class 5 and 6, and multiplying and dividing fractions in class 7.
For teachers
Project the calculator and ask the class to predict each step before it appears. To set homework checks, share a link with the problem filled in: add ?a=2/3&b=3/4&op=mul to the address (op can be add, sub, mul or div). Nothing is stored and no login is needed.
More fraction help
- Fraction practice: 10 questions on any skill, marked as you go.
- Interactive fraction wall for equivalent fractions.
- Fractions quiz for grades 3 to 6, and fraction levels to learn step by step.
- Fraction games: Fraction Race, Fraction Match and Fraction Bingo.
- Worksheets: adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators · multiplying fractions · make a fractions test
Back to fractions for kids.
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
How do I use the fraction calculator?
Type the first fraction, choose +, −, × or ÷, and type the second fraction. The answer appears straight away with every step, the simplest form, the mixed number and the decimal.
Can the calculator do mixed numbers?
Yes. Type a mixed number with a space, like 2 1/3. The calculator changes it to an improper fraction first and shows that step.
How do you add fractions with different denominators?
Find a common denominator (the least common multiple of the two bottoms), rewrite both fractions with it, then add the tops. 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.
How do you divide fractions?
Keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, and flip the second fraction. Then multiply. 3/4 ÷ 1/2 = 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4 = 1 1/2.
Does the calculator simplify the answer?
Yes. It divides the top and bottom by their greatest common factor and shows that step, then writes the answer as a mixed number when it is bigger than 1.
Is it OK for my child to use a fraction calculator?
Yes, for checking. Ask your child to work the problem on paper first, then compare each step with the calculator. The steps show exactly where a mistake happened.