Subtracting Fractions Calculator
Subtract one fraction from another and see the difference reduced to lowest terms, as a mixed number and decimal, with the steps written out.
Difference in lowest terms
7/12
Before reducing the difference is 14/24.
As a mixed number
7/12
As a decimal
0.583333333333
Step by step
- Common denominator = 4 × 6 = 24
- Rewrite: 18/24 − 4/24
- Subtract the numerators: 18 − 4 = 14, over 24
- Reduce 14/24 → 7/12
How it works
Subtracting fractions works just like adding them, except you take one numerator away from the other. Both fractions first get rewritten over a shared denominator — here the product of the two bottoms — so the parts are the same size before you subtract. Take 3/4 minus 1/6: over a common bottom of 24 they become 18/24 and 4/24, and 18 minus 4 leaves 14/24.
The raw difference is then reduced. That 14/24 divides down to 7/12, which is what you'll see as the main answer. When the result is bigger than one it's also shown as a mixed number, and every answer comes with its decimal form so you can sanity-check the size.
Order matters when you subtract, so the first fraction is the one being reduced and the second is taken away from it. If the second fraction is larger, the answer is negative — the tool keeps that sign and still reduces the result correctly.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the second fraction is bigger?
You get a negative answer, which is perfectly valid. For example, 1/6 minus 3/4 comes out as -7/12. The calculator carries the minus sign and still reduces the fraction to lowest terms.
Why does it use the product of the denominators?
Multiplying the two bottoms always gives a valid common denominator, which keeps the method simple and reliable. The final reduction step cleans everything up, so you still get the answer in lowest terms.
Can the answer come out as a whole number?
Yes. If the difference reduces to something over 1, like 4/4, it's shown as the whole number 1. The mixed-number and decimal views make whole-number results obvious.