Lowest Term Calculator

Lowest Term Calculator

Simplify a fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.

Last updated: June 2026 | By Patchworkr Team

Fraction Simplifier
Simplified Fraction
2
3
12/18 = 2/3
Numerator
12
Denominator
18
GCD
6

What Does Lowest Terms Mean?

A fraction is in lowest terms when the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. The fraction is simplified by dividing both parts by their greatest common divisor.

How to Simplify a Fraction

  1. Enter the numerator and denominator.
  2. Find the greatest common divisor.
  3. Divide both parts by the divisor.
  4. Read the simplified fraction in the result panel.
numerator / denominator -> lowest terms

Worked Example

12/18 simplifies to 2/3 because the GCD is 6.

12 ÷ 6 / 18 ÷ 6 = 2/3

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the fraction be improper?

Yes. Improper fractions are valid and can still be reduced to lowest terms.

What if the denominator is negative?

The calculator normalizes the sign so the denominator is positive in the final result.

Does the tool accept decimals?

No. This calculator is for integer fractions only, because lowest terms are defined by whole-number divisors.

Why reject zero denominator?

Division by zero is undefined, so a zero denominator is treated as invalid input.

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