How to Simplify a Ratio in Seconds (Free Ratio Calculator)
A ratio is just a comparison between two amounts. This guide shows how to reduce any ratio to its simplest form, step by step.
What is the Ratio Calculator?
Enter the two parts of a ratio and the tool divides both by their greatest common divisor. The result is the same comparison written as simply as possible, which makes recipes, mixes and scale drawings much easier to read.
How to use it
- Enter the first part of the ratio.
- Enter the second part of the ratio.
- Calculate to see the simplified ratio.
Worked example
12:18 simplifies to 2:3.
How do you simplify the ratio 12:18?
Find the largest number that divides both parts evenly. For 12 and 18 that number is 6, so dividing both parts by 6 gives 2:3. The simplified ratio 2:3 means exactly the same comparison as 12:18, just written more neatly.
Frequently asked questions
What if my ratio has decimals?
Use whole numbers for the cleanest result. If you have decimals, multiply both parts by the same power of ten first to turn them into whole numbers.
Can a ratio be simplified to 1:1?
Yes. If both parts are equal, the simplified ratio is 1:1, meaning the two parts are the same size.