Decimal to Fraction Calculator

Convert any decimal to its exact common fraction (or nearest 64th for imperial measurements) — with a reference chart.

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Formula

Find the smallest denominator d (2–64) where decimal × d is a whole number, then reduce by the GCD. Non-terminating decimals (like 0.333…) have no exact small fraction — the tool falls back to the nearest 64th.

Examples

InputResult
0.3753/8 (exact)
0.51/2 (exact)
0.1251/8 (exact)
0.333≈ 21/64 (nearest 64th — no exact small fraction)

Decimal to fraction chart (imperial 64ths)

DecimalFractionDecimalFraction
0.06251/160.51/2
0.1251/80.56259/16
0.18753/160.6255/8
0.251/40.687511/16
0.31255/160.753/4
0.3753/80.812513/16
0.43757/160.8757/8
0.4375 (0.43750)7/160.937515/16

Why 64ths? Imperial rulers, drill bits and machining tolerances work in 1/64-inch steps. Any decimal that doesn't terminate in a 64th is an approximation — choose the closest and note the tolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert a decimal to a fraction by hand?

Count the decimal places, put the digits over that power of ten, and reduce: 0.375 = 375/1000 = 3/8 (divide top and bottom by 125). The calculator does the same search and stops at the smallest denominator.

Why doesn't 0.333 convert exactly?

0.333 (with the 3 repeating forever) equals exactly 1/3 — but 1/3 has denominator 3, which no 64th-based ruler can show. The tool's fallback gives the nearest 1/64: 21/64 = 0.328125.

What is the nearest 64th used for?

Woodworking and machining: tapes and calipers read in 64ths, so the nearest 64th is the practical fraction you can actually measure and cut.

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