How do you simplify a ratio?

Find the greatest common divisor of all ratio terms and divide every term by it.

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Ratio Simplifier

Reduce two-part or three-part ratios to lowest terms

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Ratio Simplification Formula

a:b:c = (a÷g):(b÷g):(c÷g), where g = GCD(a,b,c)

A ratio is in simplest form when its terms no longer share a common divisor greater than 1. To simplify a ratio, find the greatest common divisor of all terms and divide each term by that same number. Because every term is scaled by the same factor, the comparison stays equivalent while the numbers become easier to read. This works for two-part ratios such as 12:18 and three-part ratios such as 12:18:30.

⚠Note: Use whole numbers for exact GCD-based simplification.

What Is Ratio Simplification?

Ratio simplification reduces a comparison such as 12:18:30 to an equivalent ratio with smaller whole numbers. The simplified ratio preserves the same relationship between quantities.

GCD Method

Divide every term by the greatest common divisor.

Equivalent Ratios

12:18 and 2:3 represent the same comparison.

Three-Part Ratios

Ratios like 2:3:5 compare three quantities and are simplified by the same GCD rule.

Scaling Back

Multiplying every simplified term by the same number returns an equivalent larger ratio.

💡 Example: 12:18:30 has GCD 6, so the simplified ratio is 2:3:5.

Applications of Ratio Simplification

RecipesMixturesMap ScaleFinance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a ratio simplifier?▼

A ratio simplifier reduces two-part or three-part ratios to their smallest whole-number terms.

How do I reduce a ratio?▼

Divide every term by their greatest common divisor.

Can a ratio have three terms?▼

Yes. Ratios like 2:3:5 compare three quantities and can be simplified the same way.

Can ratios include decimals?▼

This tool is designed for integer ratios. Convert decimals to whole numbers first for exact simplification.

Is 0 allowed in a ratio?▼

A zero term can appear in some ratios, but all terms cannot be zero.

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