Reduce a fraction to its lowest terms and as a decimal.
Calculated locally in your browser.
How do you simplify a fraction to lowest terms?
Divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD) to reach lowest terms. A fraction is fully reduced when the two numbers share no common factor other than 1. For example, 8/12 simplifies to 2/3, which is 0.667 or about 66.7% as a decimal and percentage.
Understanding your result
A fraction is in lowest terms when the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1.
Formula and method
Both numbers are divided by their greatest common divisor (GCD) to reach lowest terms.
Assumptions and limitations
It reduces a single fraction to lowest terms by dividing by the greatest common divisor; it does not add, subtract or multiply fractions together. The decimal shown is rounded for display, so recurring values like 0.667 are approximations of the exact fraction.
Worked example
8/12 simplifies to 2/3, which is 0.667 or about 66.7%.
How to use this tool
- Enter the numerator and denominator.
- Read the simplified fraction.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering 0 as the denominator (undefined).
About the Fraction Simplifier
Reduce a fraction to its simplest form and see the equivalent decimal and percentage.
Who should use this tool
Students learning to reduce fractions, teachers preparing marking keys, bakers and cooks scaling recipes cleanly, and anyone who wants an ugly fraction like 8/12 turned into 2/3 along with its decimal and percentage equivalents for quick checking.
Benefits
- Divides by the greatest common divisor for a guaranteed lowest form
- Shows the fraction, decimal and percentage together in one view
- Handles improper fractions and returns an exact reduced result
- Runs instantly in your browser with no sign-up
Practical use cases
- Checking a child's fraction homework against the correct answer
- Reducing a recipe ratio when halving or doubling batches
- Converting a measured fraction into a percentage for a report
- Confirming two fractions are equivalent before comparing them
Frequently asked questions
Can it handle improper fractions?
Yes. It also shows the mixed-number form where relevant.
What is the greatest common divisor of the numerator and denominator?
It is the largest whole number that divides both the top and bottom exactly. For 8/12 the greatest common divisor is 4, so dividing both by 4 gives 2/3. When that divisor is 1, the fraction is already in its lowest terms.
How do I turn a simplified fraction into a percentage?
Divide the numerator by the denominator to get a decimal, then multiply by 100. For 2/3, that is 0.667 times 100, roughly 66.7%. The tool shows all three forms at once, so you never need to do this by hand.