How to Turn a Fraction into a Percent: A Kid-Friendly Guide

You’re done with a big test. You’re pretty sure you got 9 out of 16 questions right. Now you’re wondering: “What grade did I just earn?”

To figure that out, you need to turn your fraction, 9 out of 16, into a percent. 

But how do we go from a fraction to something like 85% or 72%?

In this guide, we’ll show you how to turn a fraction into a percent in a few simple steps.

Read on to find step-by-step instructions, practice examples, and answers to questions students usually ask.

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Understanding Fractions and Percents

Before we dive into converting fractions into percents,  let’s quickly refresh our memory on what each one means.

A fraction shows part of a whole. For example, \(\Large\frac{3}{4}\) means 3 parts out of 4 equal parts.

Watch: What Are Parts of a Whole? Learn how fractions work by seeing examples of how we split things into equal parts.

A percent also shows part of a whole, but always out of 100. The word “percent” comes from “per centum,” which is Latin for “per hundred.” A percent tells us how many parts out of 100 we have.

When we say 75%, we’re saying 75 out of 100.

Watch: What Are Percents? See how we turn parts of a whole into a number out of 100 with this quick, clear explanation.

But how do fractions and percents relate?

Every percent is just a fraction with 100 as the denominator.

That means 75% = \(\Large\frac{75}{100}\) , 50% = \(\Large\frac{50}{100}\), and so on.

Step-by-Step Guide to Turning a Fraction into a Percent

As we’ve seen so far, fractions and percents are just two ways of showing the same thing. Once you understand that connection, switching between them becomes easy.

Let’s start with a method that’s super straightforward: turning the fraction into a decimal first.

Method 1: The Decimal Method

This method works for any fraction, even the tricky ones that don’t easily become out of out-of-100 fractions.

Step 1: Convert the fraction to a decimal

We’ll take the top number (the numerator) and divide it by the bottom number (the denominator).

Let’s try it with \(\Large\frac{1}{2}\):

Step 2: Set up the long division

We’re dividing 1 by 2. 

Since 2 doesn’t go into 1 evenly, we add a decimal and a zero to 1:

1.0 ÷ 2

Step 3: Divide

2 goes into 10 five times:

2 × 5 = 10 

We subtract:

10 − 10 = 0

Step 4: Write the answer

There’s nothing left to divide, so we’re done!

1 ÷ 2 = 0.5

To turn the decimal into a percent, we simply multiply it by 100:

0.5 × 100 = 50%

So, 1 out of 2 is the same as 50%.

Method 2: The Fraction Method

This method works best when you can easily rewrite the fraction so that the bottom number (the denominator) becomes 100. 

Remember, a percent is just a fraction out of 100.

Step 1: Change the denominator to 100

Let’s use \(\Large\frac{1}{4}\) as an example.

We look at the fraction and ask, “Can we multiply the top and bottom by the same number to make the denominator 100?”

“What do we multiply 4 by to get 100?” 

The answer is 25. 

Multiply 25 by the top and bottom.

1 × 25 = 25

4 × 25 = 100

Now we have:  

\(\Large\frac{1}{4}\) = \(\Large\frac{25}{100}\)

Step 2: Write the numerator as a percent

Once your denominator is 100, you’re done! 

The top number is your percent:

\(\Large\frac{25}{100}\) = 25%

Let’s do another example: \(\Large\frac{3}{5}\)

What do we multiply 5 by to get 100?

5 × 20 = 100, so:

3 × 20 = 60 

And we get the result:

\(\Large\frac{3}{5}\) = \(\Large\frac{60}{100}\) = 60%

Use this method when the denominator is a factor of 100, like 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, or 50. 

If the denominator doesn’t go evenly into 100, try the decimal method instead.

You May Also Like: How to Convert Fractions to Decimals (& Vice Versa) 

Alternative Method: Use a Proportion

Here’s another way to convert a fraction into a percent, especially useful when the fraction doesn’t have an easy-to-spot equivalent with 100 on the bottom.

Set up a proportion like this:

\(\Large\frac{x}{100}\) = your fraction

Then solve for x, which becomes the percent.

Let’s try it with \(\Large\frac{2}{5}\).

We set up the proportion:

\(\Large\frac{x}{100}\) = \(\Large\frac{2}{5}\)

Now we solve by cross-multiplying:

5 × x = 2 × 100

5x = 200

We divide both sides by 5

\(\Large\frac{5x}{5}\) = \(\Large\frac{200}{5}\)

When we simplify both sides, we get x = 40

So, \(\Large\frac{2}{5}\) = \(\Large\frac{40}{100}\)= 40%

This method works with any fraction, you just need to do a little solving.

Special cases

Some fractions give repeating decimals when you divide the numerator by the denominator. 

For example:

1 ÷ 3 = 0.333…

In these cases, just round your answer. 

Most of the time, rounding to two decimal places is fine:

0.333… × 100 = 33.33%

The equivalent fraction method doesn’t work well here, since you can’t easily turn 3 into 100.

Quiz! Let’s See What You Have Learned

Now it’s your turn to practice! Try converting the following fractions into percents: 

1. \(\Large\frac{1}{2}\)

2. \(\Large\frac{3}{4}\)

3. \(\Large\frac{7}{10}\)

4. \(\Large\frac{5}{8}\)

5. \(\Large\frac{4}{3}\)

6. \(\Large\frac{9}{25}\)

7. \(\Large\frac{3}{2}\)

8. \(\Large\frac{1}{5}\)

9. \(\Large\frac{11}{20}\)

10. \(\Large\frac{5}{6 }\)

When you’re done, check your answers at the bottom of the guide.

FAQs About Turning a Fraction Into a Percent

Got questions? You’re not alone! 

Here are some of the most common questions students ask at Mathnasium of Mason when learning how to convert fractions into percents, along with clear answers to help you feel more confident.

1. Can a percent be more than 100%?

Yes! If the fraction is improper (the numerator is larger than the denominator), the percent will be more than 100%.

Here’s an example:

\(\Large\frac{5}{4}\) = 1.25% = 125%

This just means the amount is greater than one whole.

2. Why do we multiply by 100 in the decimal method?

Multiplying a decimal by 100 tells us how many parts out of 100 we have.

Let’s look at an example:

0.75 × 100 = 75%

It’s just a way of saying, “This decimal is equal to this many out of 100.”

3. What if my fraction has a large denominator like 47?

That’s when the decimal method is your best friend. Divide the numerator by the denominator to get a decimal, then multiply by 100. 

The equivalent fraction method only works easily when the denominator fits into 100 nicely.

4. What’s the fastest method to use on a test?

That depends on the fraction! If the denominator is a factor of 100, the equivalent fraction method is fastest. If not, the decimal method is better. And if you're stuck, use the proportion method to solve step by step.

5. Can I turn a mixed number into a percent?

Yes! First, change the mixed number into an improper fraction, then use the decimal or proportion method to find the percent.

Let’s give it a try:

1\(\Large\frac{1}{2}\) = \(\Large\frac{3}{2}\)

3 ÷ 2 = 1.5

1.5 × 100 = 150%

6. Is there a way to check my work?

Yes! You can convert the percent back into a fraction by writing it over 100 and simplifying. Or, if you used the decimal method, divide the percent by 100 and compare it to the original fraction.

Master Fractions and Percents at Mathnasium of Mason

Mathnasium of Mason is a math-only learning center for K-12 students of all skill levels in Mason, OH.

Using a proprietary teaching approach called the Mathnasium Method™, our specially trained math tutors offer face-to-face instruction in an engaging and fun environment to help students master any math topic, including converting fractions to percents, typically introduced in the 6th grade. 

Students begin their Mathnasium journey with a diagnostic assessment that allows us to understand their unique strengths and knowledge gaps. Guided by assessment-based insights, we create personalized learning plans that will put them on the best path toward math mastery. 

Whether your student is looking to catch up, keep up, or get ahead in their math class, schedule an assessment and enroll at Mathnasium of Mason today! 

Schedule a Free Assessment at Mathnasium of Mason

Pssst! Check Your Answers Here

If you’ve given our exercises a try, find your answers below:

1. 50%

2. 75%

3. 70%

4. 62.5%

5. 133.3%

6. 36%

7. 150%

8. 20%

9. 55%

10. 83.3%