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Ratio Calculator with steps

Reduce a ratio like 12:18 to 2:3, or divide 250 in the ratio 2:3:5. Each answer comes with the steps that got there.

Try:

Answer

Enter your numbers or pick an example — the answer and the steps appear here instantly.

Two things it does

  • Simplify a ratio

    Enter 2 to 6 terms separated by colons. Decimals and fractions are scaled to whole numbers first, then every term is divided by the GCF of all the terms: 0.5:1.25:2 becomes 2:5:8.

  • Share a total

    Give a ratio and a total. The calculator adds the parts, finds the value of one part and multiplies: 250 in 2:3:5 is 10 parts of 25 each, so 50:75:125.

How to use the ratio calculator

  1. Choose a mode

    Simplify a ratio, or share a total in a ratio, from the What to do menu.

  2. Type the ratio with colons

    Write 12:18 or 2:3:5. Each term must be positive; fractions like 1/2 and decimals like 1.25 are allowed.

  3. Add a total if sharing

    Enter the amount to split. It can be a whole number, a decimal or a fraction.

  4. Calculate and read the steps

    The simplified ratio or the shares appear with a step outline, worked out in your browser at no cost. Copy them, or ask for an AI explanation in sentences, remembering that AI explanations can be wrong.

How to simplify and share ratios by hand

To simplify, divide every term by the greatest common factor of all of them. For 12:18 the GCF is 6, so the ratio is 2:3. For three terms, 18:24:30, the GCF is again 6 and the simplest form is 3:4:5.

Clear decimals and fractions first. In 0.5:1.25:2, multiplying by 100 gives 50:125:200, and dividing by the GCF, 25, leaves 2:5:8. With fractions, multiply by a common denominator: 1/2 : 3/4 times 4 is 2:3.

To share a total, add the ratio's parts to see how many equal shares there are. 2 + 3 + 5 = 10, so one part of 250 is 25, and the shares are 2 × 25 = 50, 3 × 25 = 75 and 5 × 25 = 125. Check that they add back up to 250.

A ratio is not the same as a fraction of the whole. In a 2:3 mix, the first ingredient is 2 parts out of 5, so it makes up 2/5 of the total, not 2/3.

Frequently asked questions

You can enter between 2 and 6 terms, written with colons, such as 4:6 or 3:9:12:15. All of them must be greater than zero.

Yes. The terms are multiplied by a power of 10 (or by a common denominator for fractions) until they are whole, and the result is then reduced. 1.5:2.5 becomes 15:25 and then 3:5.

They are given exactly as fractions. Sharing 100 in 1:2 gives 100/3 and 200/3; their decimal forms, 33.33… and 66.66…, carry the ≈ sign and a Rounded tag.

Not quite. A ratio compares quantities, while a proportion says two ratios are equal, like 3/4 = 9/12. To find a missing number in an equation like that, use the proportion calculator.

You pay nothing for the calculator, which runs locally without sign-in. A full AI explanation comes with the Pro plans* (*fair use: up to 300 runs a day spread across the writing, study and code tools) or uses 2 credits without one, and anyone signed out can preview the opening free of charge.

Treat them as a model to learn from, then write out your own working. Your teacher decides how far calculator and AI help may go on graded tasks.

Tools that pair well with ratios

Simplify or split a ratio now

Enter the ratio, add a total if you are sharing, and follow each step.

Calculate ratio
  • Up to six terms
  • Decimals and fractions cleared
  • Value of one part shown