WorkedMathGlossary

Ratio Calculator

Enter two numbers below to instantly simplify the ratio to its lowest terms.

:
Simplified Ratio
2 : 3
Divided both sides by 4

Simplifying a Ratio

Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of both numbers, then divide each side of the ratio by it.

Worked example

Simplify 8:12.

GCF of 8 and 12 is 4.

8 ÷ 4 : 12 ÷ 4 = 2 : 3

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you simplify a ratio?

Divide both numbers in the ratio by their greatest common factor (GCF). The result is the same ratio in its smallest whole-number form.

What does a ratio of 2:3 mean?

For every 2 units of the first quantity, there are 3 units of the second. It's a relative comparison, not an absolute amount.

Is a ratio the same as a fraction?

They're closely related — 2:3 can be written as the fraction 2/3 — but a ratio compares two separate quantities, while a fraction represents a part of a single whole.

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