Dividing Fractions Calculator
Divide one fraction by another — flip the second and multiply.
To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal: 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2.
How the dividing fractions calculator works
To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal: 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2.
The answer being larger than what you started with surprises people, but it is right: asking "how many quarters fit in a half" gives two. Dividing by a number smaller than one always makes the result bigger.
Formula: a/b + c/d = (ad + cb) / bd; a/b × c/d = ac / bd; a/b ÷ c/d = ad / bc
Worked examples
| Inputs | Answer in lowest terms | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 ÷ 1/4 | 2 | 2 |
| 3/4 ÷ 2/3 | 9/8 | 9/8, or 1 1/8 |
| Dividing by a whole | 1/4 | 1/4 |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How do I divide fractions?
Flip the second fraction and multiply: 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2.
Why does dividing make it bigger?
Because you are asking how many of the second fit into the first. Quarters fit into a half twice.
What is a reciprocal?
The fraction turned upside down. The reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2.
How do I divide a fraction by a whole number?
Write the whole number over 1 and flip it: 3/4 ÷ 3 is 3/4 × 1/3 = 1/4.
Can I divide by zero?
No — a zero numerator on the second fraction leaves nothing to divide by, so the page refuses it.
Where these figures come from
- NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Functions — reference definitions for elementary and special functions
- Wolfram MathWorld — definitions and formulas for every topic on this page
- NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods — the statistical formulas (mean, variance, z, confidence intervals, sample size)
- National curriculum in England — Mathematics — the terms and methods taught in UK schools
Last checked: September 2026. Formulas are fixed by mathematics and do not change with tax years or regulations.