Fraction Calculator — Add, Subtract, Multiply & Divide Fractions

Fractions are one of those topics that feels simple until you're staring at 7/12 + 5/8 and trying to remember what to do with the denominators. The CalcHub Fraction Calculator handles all four operations — addition, subtraction, multiplication, division — and shows you the steps, not just the answer.

Supported Operations

Operation	Example	Result
Addition	1/3 + 1/4	7/12
Subtraction	5/6 − 2/9	11/18
Multiplication	3/5 × 4/7	12/35
Division	2/3 ÷ 4/5	5/6

Mixed numbers work too — enter something like 2 3/4 + 1 1/2 and it handles the conversion automatically.

How to Use It

1. Choose your operation.
2. Enter the numerator and denominator for each fraction. If it's a mixed number, enter the whole number separately.
3. Click Calculate.
4. The result appears in simplified form, with the intermediate steps shown.

The Arithmetic Behind It

Adding/Subtracting fractions: Find a common denominator, adjust the numerators, then combine.

7/12 + 5/8

LCM of 12 and 8 = 24

7/12 = 14/24 and 5/8 = 15/24

14/24 + 15/24 = 29/24 (or 1 5/24 as a mixed number)

Multiplying fractions: Multiply numerators together, denominators together. Then simplify.

3/5 × 4/7 = 12/35 (already in lowest terms)

Dividing fractions: Flip the second fraction (take the reciprocal), then multiply.

2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6

This "keep, change, flip" pattern is worth memorizing — it makes division intuitive once it clicks.

Simplification

Results are automatically reduced to lowest terms. The calculator finds the GCD of the numerator and denominator and divides both by it.

18/24 → GCD(18, 24) = 6 → 3/4

If you want to keep an improper fraction (like 29/24) rather than convert to a mixed number, the display lets you toggle between formats.

Mixed Number Examples

Problem	Answer
2 1/3 + 1 2/5	3 11/15
4 3/4 − 2 5/8	2 1/8
1 1/2 × 2 2/3	4
3 1/2 ÷ 1 3/4	2

That last one always surprises students — 3½ divided by 1¾ comes out to a clean integer.

Tips

• Simplify before multiplying: With large numbers, cross-cancel first. (3/8 × 4/9 — cancel the 3 with 9 and the 4 with 8 before multiplying to keep numbers small.)
• Negative fractions: A fraction is negative if the numerator OR denominator is negative, not both. −3/4 and 3/−4 are equal, but 3/4 is positive.
• Comparing fractions: To compare 5/7 vs. 3/4, give them a common denominator. 20/28 vs. 21/28 — so 3/4 is larger.

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How do I add fractions with different denominators?

Find the least common denominator (LCD), convert each fraction to that denominator, then add the numerators. The calculator shows this step-by-step so you can follow the logic.

What's an improper fraction and should I worry about it?

An improper fraction has a numerator larger than its denominator (like 9/4). It's mathematically valid — sometimes more convenient than a mixed number (2 1/4) depending on what you're calculating. The tool lets you choose which form to display.

Why does the calculator always simplify the result?

Because an unsimplified answer like 12/16 is technically correct but unhelpful — 3/4 is the same value but cleaner to work with. If you need the unsimplified version for some reason, you can see the intermediate steps in the solution display.

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