Ratio Calculator

Simplify a ratio to lowest terms, or solve for a missing value.

Ratios compare two quantities directly — a recipe, a mixing formula, a map scale — and simplifying them to lowest terms makes the underlying proportion easier to see and scale.

Simplifying vs. solving

Simplifying reduces a ratio like 8:20 down to 2:5. Solving finds a missing value when you know a ratio holds proportionally — cross-multiplication gives you the answer without needing to simplify first.

Frequently asked questions

Is a ratio the same as a fraction?

They're closely related, but ratios are typically used to compare two separate quantities, while fractions represent a part of a single whole.

How do I scale a recipe using ratios?

Keep the ratio between ingredients constant — if you double one ingredient, double all the others in the same ratio too.