How to convert a fraction to a percent — step by step
A fraction a/b becomes a percent when you read it as a division and multiply the result by 100: a/b = a ÷ b · 100%. Worked example: 3/8 = 0.375 = 37.5%. This conversion is part of the percentages work in Grade 6 / Year 7.
Quick answer
To convert a fraction to a percent, divide the numerator by the denominator and multiply by 100: a/b = a ÷ b · 100%. Example: 3/8 = 3 ÷ 8 · 100 = 0.375 · 100 = 37.5%.
At a glance
| Fraction | 3/8 |
|---|---|
| Method | numerator ÷ denominator · 100 |
| Steps | 3 |
| Answer | 37.5% |
| Decimal value | 0.375 |
| Grade level | Grade 6 (ages 11–12) |
Worked example: 3/8 as a percent
We read 3/8 as 3 ÷ 8, divide to get a decimal, then multiply by 100.
Fraction to percent — the steps
These three steps work for any fraction a/b where b is not zero.
Step 1 · Start
3/8 = ?%We want to know what percent the fraction 3/8 is.Step 2 · Formula
3 ÷ 8 · 100Divide the numerator by the denominator and multiply by 100.Step 3 · ÷ gives
0.375 · 100The division 3 ÷ 8 gives the decimal 0.375.Step 4 · · 100
= 37.5%Multiplying by 100 moves the decimal point two places right.
Why you divide by the denominator and multiply by 100
A fraction a/b is just the division a ÷ b — the result is the decimal form of the same share. Percent, in turn, means “per hundred”, so any decimal becomes a percentage when you multiply by 100; the decimal point moves two places to the right. Fraction, decimal and percent are therefore three notations for the same value: 3/8 = 0.375 = 37.5%.