Ratio Calculator
Simplify a ratio to its lowest terms in one step. Enter two values and QuickUtila reduces the ratio, shows it as a decimal and a percentage split, and expresses it in 1 : n form.
16 : 12 simplifies to 4 : 3.
- Decimal (A ÷ B)
- 1.3333
- 1 : n form
- 1 : 0.75
- A share of total
- 57.14%
- B share of total
- 42.86%
Calculated in your browser. Results are rounded to 4 decimal places.
How to Simplify a Ratio
A ratio compares two quantities. To simplify it, divide both sides by their greatest common divisor (GCD) — the largest whole number that divides both evenly. If either side has decimals, first multiply both sides by 10, 100 or 1,000 until they are whole numbers.
- 1GCD of 16 and 12 = 4
- 216 ÷ 4 = 4 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3
Therefore: 16 : 12 simplifies to 4 : 3.
Ratios, Decimals and Percentage Splits
Dividing the first value by the second turns a ratio into a decimal: 4 : 3 is 1.3333. To see how a total is shared, divide each side by the sum of both sides — 4 : 3 means the first part is 4 ÷ 7 ≈ 57.14% of the whole.
The 1 : n form scales the ratio so the first term is 1, which is handy for map scales and mixing instructions.
When Is a Ratio Calculator Useful?
- Scaling recipes
- Mixing solutions and paints
- Screen aspect ratios
- Reading map scales
- Splitting costs or shares
- Financial ratios
Frequently Asked Questions
The greatest common divisor of 1920 and 1080 is 120. Dividing both by 120 gives 16 : 9.
Yes. The calculator multiplies both terms by the same power of ten to make them whole numbers, then simplifies. For example, 1.5 : 2 becomes 15 : 20, which simplifies to 3 : 4.
A ratio with a zero term can’t be simplified or turned into a meaningful decimal, so both values need to be positive.
They are closely related. The ratio 3 : 4 corresponds to the fraction 3/4 when comparing part to part, but as a share of the whole the first part is 3/7.