How do you simplify a ratio to lowest terms?

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

Can this calculator handle ratios with decimals?

The calculator is built for whole-number ratios; for decimal inputs, multiply both terms by a power of 10 first to convert them to whole numbers before simplifying.

What is the difference between a ratio and a fraction?

A ratio (A:B) compares two separate quantities, while a fraction (A/B) expresses part of a whole. Every ratio can be written as a fraction, which this calculator does automatically.

Math CalculatorsClient-Side Calculation Engine

Ratio Calculator

Simplify ratios to lowest terms and convert to percentages.

Math Calculators

Ratio Calculator

Simplify ratios to lowest terms, convert ratios to fractions and percentages, and solve equivalent ratios.

Ratio Term A

Ratio Term B

Simplified Ratio

2 : 3

GCF: 10 | Term A: 40% | Term B: 60% | Decimal: 0.6667

What is the Ratio Calculator and How Does It Work?

The Ratio Calculator simplifies any ratio A:B to its lowest terms by dividing both numbers by their greatest common factor, and also converts the ratio into a fraction and a percentage for easy comparison.

Calculation Formula

Simplified Ratio = A ÷ GCF(A,B) : B ÷ GCF(A,B)

Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of both numbers, then divide each side of the ratio by it to reduce the ratio to its simplest whole-number form.

Where:

A, B= The two terms of the ratio A:B

GCF(A,B)= The largest number that divides both A and B evenly

Worked Calculation Examples

Simplifying a Recipe Ratio

Input:A = 20, B = 30

Output:2 : 3

GCF(20,30) = 10, so 20/10 : 30/10 = 2 : 3.

Already in Lowest Terms

Input:A = 5, B = 8

Output:5 : 8

GCF(5,8) = 1, so the ratio cannot be simplified further.

Common Real-World Use Cases

Cooking & Recipe Scaling

Simplify ingredient ratios (e.g. flour to water) to scale a recipe up or down accurately.

Mixing Solutions

Reduce concentrate-to-water ratios for paint, cleaning solutions, or fertilizer mixes.

Finance & Business Ratios

Simplify financial ratios such as debt-to-equity for cleaner comparisons and reporting.

Maps & Scale Models

Convert map scale or model scale ratios (e.g. 1:50000) into simplified or percentage form.

How to Use the Ratio Calculator

1Enter the two terms of your ratio (A and B).
2The calculator finds their greatest common factor and divides both terms by it.
3View the simplified ratio, its equivalent fraction, and percentage form.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

•A ratio is already fully simplified when its two terms share no common factor other than 1.
•Converting a ratio to a percentage shows what share the first term represents of the combined total (A / (A+B)).

Frequently Asked Questions

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