FractionReference

Simplify a ratio

Type a ratio with colons — 12:18, or 2:3:4 for three parts. Decimal and fractional terms are welcome; they get cleared to whole numbers first.

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Common questions

How do I simplify a ratio?
Divide every term by the greatest common factor of all of them. 12:18 share a factor of 6, so the ratio is 2:3 — the same proportion written with the smallest whole numbers.
What is the difference between a ratio and a fraction?
For two terms, none — 2:3 and 2/3 are the same statement, one comparing part to part and the other part to whole. The difference matters when there are three terms: 2:3:4 is a proportion no single fraction can express.
Can a ratio have decimals or fractions in it?
Yes, and this tool clears them. 1.5:2 scales up to 3:4, and 1/2:1/3 becomes 3:2 — every term is multiplied by whatever makes them all whole, then reduced.
How do I mix to a ratio?
Add the terms to get the number of parts, then divide your batch by that. Mixing 2:3 into 10 litres means 5 parts of 2 litres each: 4 litres and 6 litres.

Related

Solve a proportiona : b = c : x — find the missing term. Greatest common factorThe number every term gets divided by. Simplify a fractionThe same move, written the other way.
Where this comes from. Exact rational arithmetic on the values shown — fractions are pairs of integers until display, and inch–metric conversion uses 25.4 mm to the inch, exact by definition since 1959. See the full methodology.