Ratio Simplifier
Simplify a ratio to reduced form by entering it in the ratio simplifier calculator below.
Simplified Ratio:
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How to Simplify a Ratio
Like fractions, ratios sometimes need to be simplified to a reduced form. The calculator above easily reduces a ratio, but you can do it yourself in two easy steps.
These steps are the same as the steps to simplify a fraction.
Step One: Find the Greatest Common Factor
The first step to simplify a ratio is to find the greatest common factor. There are two things you need to do to find the greatest common factor.
First, find all of the numbers that divide evenly into the ratio’s left and right sides; these are the common factors. Then, choose the largest common factor from the set; this is the greatest common factor.
Factors of 8: [1,2,4,8]
Factors of 12: [1,2,3,4,6,12]
Common factors: [1,2,4]
You can also use our GCF calculator.
Step Two: Divide Left Side and Right Side by the Common Factor
The second step to simplify a ratio is to divide the ratio’s left and right sides by the greatest common factor. This will reduce the ratio to the smallest possible form, keeping both parts of the ratio as whole numbers.
For example, let’s simplify the ratio 6:8.
Start by finding the greatest common factor.
Factors of 6: [1,2,3,6]
Factors of 8: [1,2,4,8]
The largest common number in each set is 2.
Divide each side of the ratio by the greatest common factor.
6 ÷ 2 = 3
8 ÷ 2 = 4
Thus, 3:4 is the simplified form of the ratio.
You might also find our ratio calculator useful for solving more ratio problems.
