Fractions Lab

See Fractions. Play With Fractions. Understand Fractions.

Pizza slices, pies and bars you can touch — build, add, compare and quiz yourself on fractions, with everything explained out loud.

Build a fraction
Use the buttons to change how many pieces there are, and how many are coloured in.
1 2
Bar model
Circle model

Add or subtract two fractions
Pick your two fractions and an operation — watch the pieces combine.
1 2
+
1 4
1/2
1/4
Result
1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4
3/4
Which fraction is bigger?
Pick two fractions and see which one wins — or if they're a tie.
2 3
vs
3 5
2/3
3/5
2/3 > 3/5
Equivalent fractions explorer
Same amount, different-looking fraction. Slide to see more.
1 2
Your fraction
Scaled version
Scale ×2
Family of equivalent fractions:
Fractions quiz
Ten questions. Visual hints if you get stuck. Your best score is saved on this device.
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Best score
0
Quizzes played
0
Best streak

About Fractions Lab

Fractions Lab is a free, hands-on way for kids to build real number sense around fractions instead of just memorizing rules. Every fraction on this page is drawn as a bar and a circle at the same time, so children can see the exact same value shown two different ways — the piece of a pizza and the piece of a chocolate bar are the same idea.

Explore: build any fraction

Use the up and down buttons to change the numerator (top number) and denominator (bottom number) of a fraction. Watch the coloured slices update instantly on both the bar and the circle. This is the best starting point for children who are meeting fractions for the first time — there's nothing to get wrong, just cause and effect.

Add and subtract with real math underneath

The Add/Sub tool finds a true common denominator, combines the numerators correctly, and always simplifies the answer to its lowest terms — the same method taught in primary school. Kids can see two fractions merge into a single result bar, which builds intuition before they ever see the algorithm written out on paper.

Compare fractions visually and numerically

The Compare tool places two fractions side by side using equal-sized bars, so bigger really does look bigger. Underneath, it uses cross-multiplication to decide whether the left fraction is less than, equal to, or greater than the right one — and shows the working, not just the answer.

Discover equivalent fractions

The Equivalent Fractions explorer shows how multiplying the top and bottom of a fraction by the same number never changes its value — 1/2, 2/4, 3/6 and 4/8 are all the exact same amount of pizza. A slider lets kids scale a fraction up and instantly see the new picture next to the original.

Practice with the quiz

The quiz mode asks ten mixed questions — building fractions from a picture, comparing, adding, subtracting and spotting equivalents — with multiple-choice answers sized for small thumbs. Stuck? The hint button reveals a picture clue. Scores and best streaks are saved right on this device so kids can try to beat their personal best.

Read-aloud support

Every panel has a speaker button that uses your browser's built-in voice (no extra downloads, no accounts) to read the fraction or result out loud — helpful for early readers or anyone who learns better by listening.

Fractions Lab is an educational tool for practice and exploration. It is not a substitute for a school curriculum or a teacher's instruction. Always double-check important schoolwork with a parent, guardian, or teacher.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fraction, in simple terms?
A fraction shows a part of a whole. The bottom number (denominator) tells you how many equal pieces the whole is cut into. The top number (numerator) tells you how many of those pieces you have. For example, 3/4 means the whole was cut into 4 equal pieces and you have 3 of them.
How do you add two fractions with different denominators?
First find a common denominator — a number both denominators divide into evenly. Rewrite both fractions using that denominator, then add the numerators and keep the denominator the same. Finally, simplify the answer to its lowest terms by dividing the top and bottom by their greatest common divisor.
What does it mean to simplify a fraction to lowest terms?
Simplifying means dividing the numerator and denominator by the largest number that divides both evenly (the greatest common divisor, or GCD). For example, 6/8 simplifies to 3/4 because dividing both by 2 gives the smallest equivalent whole-number fraction.
What are equivalent fractions?
Equivalent fractions are different fractions that represent the same amount, like 1/2, 2/4 and 3/6. You can find them by multiplying (or dividing) the numerator and denominator by the same number — the value never changes because you're multiplying by a form of 1.
How can I compare two fractions to see which is bigger?
One reliable way is cross-multiplication: for a/b vs c/d, compare a×d with c×b. If a×d is bigger, a/b is bigger. Another way is to rewrite both fractions with the same denominator and then just compare the numerators. Pictures — like comparing two bars or circles of the same size — also make it easy to see at a glance.
Is any of my child's data collected or stored online?
No. Fractions Lab runs entirely in the browser. Quiz scores and practice history are saved only in your device's local storage so progress persists between visits on that device. Nothing is uploaded, no account is needed, and no personal information is ever requested.