This ratio calculator simplifies a pair of numbers to their lowest whole-number ratio and can scale ratios up or down.
Math
Ratio Calculator
Simplify ratios, solve proportion terms and compare values.
Calculator
About this calculator
Formula notes
Divide both terms by their greatest common divisor. A ratio a:b is equivalent to ka:kb for any factor k.
Worked examples
- Example: 12:18 divides by GCF 6 to become 2:3.
- The ratio 84:126 reduces by their GCF of 42 to 2:3; scaling the first term to 10 makes the equivalent ratio 10:15.
How to use it
- Enter the two terms of the ratio.
- Read the simplified lowest-terms ratio.
- Scale it by a multiplier if you need a larger batch.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2:3 the same as 4:6?
Yes. They are equivalent ratios; 2:3 is just the simplest form.
Can a ratio include decimals?
Multiply both terms to clear the decimal first, then simplify as usual.
Limits and interpretation
- Ratio terms should describe comparable quantities, with units converted before simplification when necessary.
- A simplified ratio does not preserve the original total or sample size, so context must remain attached.