Fraction Simplifier

Simplify any fraction to its lowest terms. Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions too.

/
Enter a fraction above and click the button.

How fraction simplification works

To simplify a fraction, divide both numerator and denominator by their Greatest Common Divisor (GCD). The resulting fraction is in its lowest terms.

Simplification
GCD(24, 36) = 12
24/36 → 2/3
24÷12 = 2, 36÷12 = 3. So 24/36 = 2/3 = 0.6667
Addition
a/b + c/d = (ad+bc)/(bd)
1/3 + 1/4 = (4+3)/12 = 7/12. Then simplify if possible.
Multiplication
a/b × c/d = (ac)/(bd)
2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2. Multiply numerators and denominators separately.
Division
a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c
Flip the second fraction (take its reciprocal), then multiply. 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6.

Frequently asked questions

What does simplifying a fraction mean?

Simplifying (or reducing) a fraction means dividing both the numerator and denominator by their GCD to get the smallest equivalent fraction. For example, 8/12 simplifies to 2/3 because GCD(8,12) = 4.

How do I add fractions with different denominators?

Find a common denominator (the LCM of both denominators works best), convert each fraction to that denominator, then add the numerators. Finally, simplify the result. Example: 1/3 + 1/4 → common denominator 12 → 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12.

What is a proper vs improper fraction?

A proper fraction has numerator < denominator (e.g., 3/4). An improper fraction has numerator ≥ denominator (e.g., 7/4). Improper fractions can be written as mixed numbers: 7/4 = 1¾.

Can I simplify fractions with negative numbers?

Yes. The simplification process is the same — find the GCD of the absolute values and divide. A negative sign in either the numerator or denominator makes the fraction negative; −6/8 = −3/4.

What is the reciprocal of a fraction?

The reciprocal of a/b is b/a (flip numerator and denominator). Multiplying any fraction by its reciprocal gives 1. Reciprocals are used when dividing fractions: a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c.