Fraction Calculator
Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions with step-by-step results.
Enter your fractions
Leave the whole-number box at 0 for a simple fraction. Use negative values for negative fractions.
Result
- Simplified fraction
- 5/6
- Mixed number
- 5/6
- Decimal
- 0.833333
Step by step
- 1Rewrite over the common denominator 6: 1/2 = 3/6, 1/3 = 2/6
- 2Add the numerators: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6
About the Fraction Calculator
A fraction calculator takes the fiddly arithmetic out of working with fractions — finding common denominators, multiplying across, flipping for division and reducing the answer to lowest terms. Enter two fractions, choose an operation, and you get the exact result as a simplified fraction, a mixed number and a decimal, along with the working that gets you there.
Each value can be a simple fraction like 3/4 or a mixed number like 2 1/3 — just fill in the whole-number box. Negative fractions are fine too: put the minus sign on the whole number or the numerator. Because the calculation is done with exact integer arithmetic rather than floating-point decimals, you never lose precision to rounding, so 1/3 stays exactly one third.
The step-by-step panel shows each stage of the method — converting mixed numbers, rewriting over a common denominator, combining, and simplifying — which makes it useful for checking homework or learning the technique, not just getting an answer.
Frequently asked questions
How do you add or subtract fractions with different denominators?
Rewrite both fractions over a common denominator (the lowest common multiple of the two denominators), then add or subtract the numerators and keep the denominator. Finally, reduce the result to lowest terms. The calculator shows each of these steps.
How do you multiply and divide fractions?
To multiply, multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. To divide, flip the second fraction (swap its numerator and denominator) and multiply. The answer is then simplified. No common denominator is needed for either.
Can I use mixed numbers and negative fractions?
Yes. Enter a value in the whole-number box to make a mixed number such as 2 1/3, which the calculator converts to an improper fraction first. For negatives, use a minus sign on the whole number or the numerator.
How is the result simplified?
The calculator divides the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), giving the fraction in lowest terms. If the fraction is top-heavy, it also expresses it as a mixed number and as a decimal.
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