Quick Answer
To turn a decimal into a fraction, write it over a power of 10 and simplify. 0.625 = 625/1000, and dividing both by their GCD of 125 gives 5/8. For a repeating decimal like 0.333…, x = 0.(3) gives 10x − x = 3, so x = 3/9 = 1/3.
Embed this calculator
Adjust the size if needed, then copy the code below into your page or blog. The calculator will load in an iframe and stay updated automatically.
Table of Contents
- Decimal to Fraction Calculator
- Quick Answer
- Related Calculators
- How This Decimal to Fraction Calculator Works
- How to Use the Decimal to Fraction Calculator
- Core Methods
- Key Terms
- Worked Example
- Real-Life Examples
- Terminating vs Repeating Decimals
- Common Decimals as Fractions
- Tips
- Rounding a Decimal to the Nearest Fraction
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References & Sources
How This Decimal to Fraction Calculator Works
Type a decimal such as 0.625, 2.75 or −1.2. For a repeating decimal, put the repeating digits in brackets, so 0.333… is 0.(3) and 0.1666… is 0.1(6). The calculator writes the decimal as a fraction, finds the greatest common divisor (GCD) to simplify it, and shows the mixed number, the decimal and the percent.
Quick explanation: each decimal place is a power of 10.
- One place: tenths, so 0.7 = 7/10.
- Two places: hundredths, so 0.25 = 25/100 = 1/4.
- Repeating: use the subtraction trick to remove the endless part.
How to Use the Decimal to Fraction Calculator
- Type the decimal number.
- For repeating digits, put them in brackets, such as 0.(6).
- Press Calculate.
- Read the simplest fraction and mixed number.
- Check the steps to see how it was simplified.
Core Methods
- Terminating decimal: write the digits over 10k, where k is the number of decimal places, then simplify
- Simplify: divide the top and bottom by their GCD
- Pure repeating: 0.(R) = R ÷ (10r − 1), such as 0.(27) = 27/99 = 3/11
- Mixed repeating: subtract the non-repeating part, as in the steps
- Mixed number: whole part = top ÷ bottom, remainder over the bottom
Key Terms
- Numerator: the top number of a fraction.
- Denominator: the bottom number of a fraction.
- Simplest form: a fraction whose top and bottom share no common factor except 1.
- GCD: greatest common divisor, the largest number that divides both.
- Repeating decimal: a decimal with digits that repeat forever in a pattern.
Worked Example
Convert 0.1666… to a fraction.
- Let x = 0.1(6). Then 100x = 16.666… and 10x = 1.666…
- 100x − 10x = 15, so 90x = 15
- x = 15/90 = 1/6
Real-Life Examples
- Woodworking: 0.4375 inches is 7/16 of an inch.
- Cooking: 0.75 cup is 3/4 cup, and 0.333… cup is 1/3 cup.
- Homework: 2.125 = 17/8 = 2 1/8.
- Odds and ratios: 0.2 is 1/5, or 1 in 5.
Terminating vs Repeating Decimals
- Terminating: ends, like 0.375. Its simplest denominator has only 2s and 5s as prime factors.
- Repeating: goes on in a pattern, like 0.142857142857… = 1/7.
- Irrational: never repeats, like π, and cannot be written exactly as a fraction.
Common Decimals as Fractions
| Decimal | Fraction | Decimal | Fraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1/10 | 0.5 | 1/2 |
| 0.125 | 1/8 | 0.6 | 3/5 |
| 0.2 | 1/5 | 0.625 | 5/8 |
| 0.25 | 1/4 | 0.75 | 3/4 |
| 0.3 | 3/10 | 0.8 | 4/5 |
| 0.375 | 3/8 | 0.875 | 7/8 |
| 0.4 | 2/5 | 0.9 | 9/10 |
| 0.333… | 1/3 | 0.666… | 2/3 |
Tips
- Inch measurements: results like 3/8 or 5/16 have denominators that are powers of 2.
- Rounded decimals: 0.33 is 33/100, not 1/3. Use 0.(3) for one third.
- Negative numbers: the minus sign stays in front of the fraction.
- Whole numbers: 4 is 4/1.
Rounding a Decimal to the Nearest Fraction
Sometimes you need a handy fraction, not the exact one. A tape measure shows sixteenths of an inch, and a recipe uses halves, thirds and quarters. To round a decimal to the nearest fraction with a chosen denominator, multiply the decimal by that denominator, round to a whole number, and put it back over the denominator.
- Nearest 1/16: 0.53 × 16 = 8.48, which rounds to 8, so 8/16 = 1/2.
- Nearest 1/8: 0.69 × 8 = 5.52, which rounds to 6, so 6/8 = 3/4.
- Nearest 1/4: 2.2 × 4 = 8.8, which rounds to 9, so 9/4 = 2 1/4.
Rounding gives an easy fraction close to the decimal, while this calculator gives the exact fraction. For example, 0.53 exactly is 53/100, but to the nearest sixteenth it is 1/2. Use the exact answer for math and the rounded one for measuring.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not simplifying. 50/100 should be 1/2.
- Treating a rounded decimal as repeating. 0.67 is 67/100, not 2/3.
- Counting places wrong. 0.05 is 5/100, not 5/10.
- Losing the whole number. 3.5 is 7/2, or 3 1/2.
- Dropping the minus sign. −0.25 is −1/4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Write the digits over 10, 100 or 1,000, depending on the decimal places, then simplify.
5/8.
1/3. Enter it as 0.(3).
3/4.
Put the repeating digits in brackets: 0.(6) for 0.666…, or 2.4(18) for 2.41818…
1/6.
Divide the top by the bottom. The quotient is the whole number and the remainder goes over the bottom.
Every terminating or repeating decimal can. Irrational numbers like π cannot.
1/5.
3/2, or 1 1/2.
With x = 0.(9), 10x − x = 9, so x = 1. Try 0.(9) in the calculator.
Divide the top by the bottom, or use our Fraction Calculator.
References & Sources
| Source | Used For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia, Repeating decimal | Why repeating decimals are fractions, and how to convert them. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_decimal |
| Wikipedia, Greatest common divisor | How the GCD is used to simplify fractions. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_common_divisor |