How to Convert a Fraction to a Percentage (3 Methods)
Updated · By the SolverCalc team
Quick answer
Divide the numerator by the denominator, then multiply by 100 and add “%”.
A percentage is simply a fraction with a denominator of 100. Converting a fraction to a percentage means finding out how many parts out of 100 it represents. There are three methods worth knowing, and each one has a situation where it shines.
Method 1: divide and multiply by 100 (works every time)
- Divide the top number by the bottom number.
- Multiply the result by 100.
- Round if necessary and add the % sign.
Example: 5/8 → 5 ÷ 8 = 0.625 → 0.625 × 100 = 62.5%. Example with rounding: 7/12 → 7 ÷ 12 = 0.58333… → 58.33%.
Method 2: scale the denominator to 100
If the denominator divides evenly into 100, multiply the top and bottom by the same number. For 9/25, multiply by 4 to get 36/100, which is 36%. For 13/20, multiply by 5 to get 65/100, or 65%. This method is quick and needs no calculator.
Method 3: set up a proportion
Write the fraction equal to x/100 and solve for x. For 3/8: 3/8 = x/100, so 8x = 300 and x = 37.5. The answer is 37.5%. This is helpful when you are learning algebra because it connects percentages to solving equations.
Worked examples
| Fraction | Division | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 3/5 | 3 ÷ 5 = 0.6 | 60% |
| 1/8 | 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125 | 12.5% |
| 7/20 | 7 ÷ 20 = 0.35 | 35% |
| 2/9 | 2 ÷ 9 = 0.2222… | 22.22% |
| 11/17 | 11 ÷ 17 = 0.6470… | 64.71% |
Tips for accuracy
- Do the division first, then multiply—do not multiply the denominator by 100.
- Keep a few extra digits until the final step, then round once.
- Check your answer: a fraction less than 1 must give a percentage below 100%.
- Mixed numbers like 1 1/4 become improper fractions first: 5/4 = 125%.
Going the other way: percentage to fraction
To reverse the process, write the percentage over 100 and simplify. For example, 45% = 45/100 = 9/20, and 12.5% = 12.5/100 = 125/1000 = 1/8.