Comparing fractions calculator
Find which fraction is bigger, or put a whole list in order. Mixed numbers (1 1/2) and decimals (0.4) work too.
- Common denominator: LCD(8, 5) = 40.
5/8 = 25/40, 3/5 = 24/40 - Compare the numerators: 25 > 24.
- Check by cross-multiplying: 5 × 5 = 25 and 3 × 8 = 24.
Order fractions on a number line
Enter up to 15 fractions separated by commas. They're sorted exactly (not by rounded decimals) and placed where they belong between 0 and 1.
1/2 < 7/12 < 5/8 < 2/3 < 3/4 — over a common denominator of 24: 12/24, 14/24, 15/24, 16/24, 18/24
Three ways to compare fractions
1. Same denominator
Compare the tops: 5/9 > 4/9.
2. Same numerator
The smaller denominator wins, because its pieces are bigger: 3/5 > 3/7.
3. Anything else
Use a common denominator (the LCD) or cross-multiply. Benchmarks help for a quick check: 3/7 is less than 1/2 (because 3 is less than half of 7), and 5/8 is more.
Questions people ask
How do you compare fractions?
Give them a common denominator and compare the numerators, or cross-multiply: for a/b and c/d, compare a × d with c × b. 5/8 vs 3/5: 5 × 5 = 25 and 3 × 8 = 24, so 5/8 is larger.
Which is bigger, 2/3 or 3/4?
3/4. Over twelfths, 2/3 = 8/12 and 3/4 = 9/12.
How do you order fractions from least to greatest?
Rewrite them all over the least common denominator and sort by numerator. Or convert each to a decimal and sort.
Is a bigger denominator a bigger fraction?
Only the opposite: with the same numerator, a bigger denominator means smaller pieces, so 1/8 < 1/5.