Dividing fractions worksheets help students master one rule: keep the first fraction, change the division to multiplication, and flip the second fraction. These free printable dividing fractions worksheets cover a fraction divided by a fraction, a whole number divided by a fraction, and word problems, with an answer key on every PDF and a maker for new problems.
Quick answer: To divide fractions, keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, and flip the second fraction (use its reciprocal): 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2. This page has 5 free dividing fractions worksheets (PDF) with answer keys for grades 5 and 6, plus a maker for new problems. Updated October 2026.
Ready-to-print samples
A few of the ready PDFs on this page. The full list is under Ready-to-print worksheets, and the maker above makes new problems on demand.
Fraction divided by fractionLevel 4 with a full answer key.PDFWhole number and fraction divisionLevel 5 with a full answer key.PDFFraction divided by fraction (Set B)A second set of problems.PDFFraction word problemsReal-world fraction problems.PDF
How to divide fractions: keep, change, flip
Keep the first fraction as it is.
Change the division sign to a multiplication sign.
Flip the second fraction, which means writing its reciprocal.
Multiply across and simplify.
Dividing by a fraction asks how many of that fraction fit into the number. That is why dividing by 1/4 is the same as multiplying by 4: there are four quarters in every whole.
Dividing fractions: six worked examples
Each row shows the keep, change, flip step, the multiplication and the answer in simplest form:
Problem
Keep, change, flip
Multiply
Answer
1/2 ÷ 1/4
1/2 × 4
4/2
2
3/4 ÷ 1/8
3/4 × 8
24/4
6
2/3 ÷ 4/5
2/3 × 5/4
10/12
5/6
5/6 ÷ 5/12
5/6 × 12/5
60/30
2
3/5 ÷ 9/10
3/5 × 10/9
30/45
2/3
7/8 ÷ 3/4
7/8 × 4/3
28/24
1 1/6
Reciprocals: the flipped fraction
A reciprocal is a fraction turned upside down. A number times its reciprocal is always 1, which is why flipping works. A whole number is a fraction over 1, so the reciprocal of 3 is 1/3:
Number
Reciprocal
Check: number × reciprocal
2/3
3/2
1
5/4
4/5
1
7/9
9/7
1
3
1/3
1
1/6
6
1
11/2
2/11
1
How many fit? Dividing whole numbers by fractions
Dividing a whole number by a unit fraction asks how many pieces fit. Picture a ribbon cut into pieces. These examples show the idea:
Question
Division
Answer
How many 1/4 in 3?
3 ÷ 1/4
12
How many 1/3 in 2?
2 ÷ 1/3
6
How many 1/2 in 5?
5 ÷ 1/2
10
How many 2/3 in 4?
4 ÷ 2/3
6
How many 3/4 in 6?
6 ÷ 3/4
8
Dividing fractions by whole numbers worksheet
To divide a fraction by a whole number, write the whole number over 1 and use the same rule: 3/4 ÷ 3 = 3/4 × 1/3 = 1/4. In words, you share three quarters equally among three, so each share is one quarter. The whole number and fraction division sheets above mix both kinds of problem.
Divide fractions worksheet, practice and PDFs
This page is also searched as divide fractions worksheet, fraction division worksheet, dividing fractions by fractions worksheet, dividing fractions practice and division of fractions worksheets. All of them are the free PDFs above, each with an answer key, for US Letter or A4, with no sign-up. Customize loads the same level into the maker for a fresh set of problems.
Divide unit fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by unit fractions
Grade 6
6.NS.A.1
Divide a fraction by a fraction and interpret the quotient
Grade 6
6.NS.B.2
Fluently divide multi-digit numbers (a related skill)
Common mistakes when dividing fractions
Mistake
Example
Fix
Flipping the first fraction
1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 2/1 × 1/4
Keep the first fraction, flip only the second: 1/2 × 4/1
Forgetting to change the sign
3/4 ÷ 1/8 = 3/4 × 1/8
Change the ÷ to × when you flip
Dividing numerators and denominators separately without care
1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/1
This works only when the numbers divide exactly; use keep-change-flip
Leaving an improper fraction
12/6 left as 12/6
Simplify to 2, or write as a mixed number
Thinking the quotient is smaller
1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/8
Dividing by a fraction less than 1 gives a larger number: the answer is 2
A weekly plan for dividing fractions
Day
Focus
Suggested block
Monday
Reciprocals and keep-change-flip
15 min
Tuesday
Fraction divided by fraction
15 min
Wednesday
Whole numbers and fractions
15 min
Thursday
Word problems and mixed review
15 min
Weekly total
Four short sessions
60 min
Try ten dividing fractions problems
Use this set as a warm-up or a quick check. Write each reciprocal first, then multiply across and simplify. Answers are in simplest form, with mixed numbers where the quotient is larger than 1.
#
Problem
Answer
1
2/3 ÷ 1/6
4
2
5/8 ÷ 5/16
2
3
3/4 ÷ 9/10
5/6
4
7/9 ÷ 7/3
1/3
5
1/5 ÷ 2/5
1/2
6
4/7 ÷ 8/21
1 1/2
7
6 ÷ 2/3
9
8
3/10 ÷ 3
1/10
9
5/6 ÷ 5/9
1 1/2
10
9/14 ÷ 3/7
1 1/2
Why keep, change, flip works
A rule is easier to remember when children see why it works. Take 3/4 ÷ 1/8. Dividing by 1/8 asks how many eighths fit into 3/4. Three quarters is the same as six eighths, so the answer is 6. Now multiply: 3/4 × 8/1 = 24/4 = 6. Both routes agree.
The general reason is that dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. Since 1/8 has the reciprocal 8, every division by 1/8 becomes a multiplication by 8. Once students see this, the rule stops being a trick and becomes something they can rebuild if they forget it.
Dividing fractions vocabulary
Students answer questions faster when they know the words. These are the terms used on the worksheets and answer keys:
Word
Meaning
Example
Dividend
The number being divided
3/4 in 3/4 ÷ 1/8
Divisor
The number you divide by
1/8 in 3/4 ÷ 1/8
Quotient
The answer to a division
6 in 3/4 ÷ 1/8
Reciprocal
A fraction turned upside down
1/8 and 8/1
Unit fraction
A fraction with a numerator of 1
1/4
Simplest form
A fraction with no common factor in the top and bottom
12/8 becomes 3/2
Real-life uses of dividing fractions
Dividing by a fraction answers the question “how many of these fit?” Use these situations to show that it is more than a school exercise:
Situation
Division
Answer
How many 1/4-cup scoops are in 3 cups of flour?
3 ÷ 1/4
12 scoops
A 2/3 meter ribbon is cut into 1/6 meter pieces
2/3 ÷ 1/6
4 pieces
A half-gallon of paint covers 3 walls equally
1/2 ÷ 3
1/6 gallon per wall
How many 3/4 hour lessons fit into 6 hours?
6 ÷ 3/4
8 lessons
A 5/8 pound block of cheese is shared among 5 people
5/8 ÷ 5
1/8 pound each
Tips for teachers and parents
Begin with whole numbers divided by unit fractions, because the answer is easy to see and picture: there are 2 halves in 1, so 3 ÷ 1/2 = 6. Tape diagrams and fraction strips help, and so does acting it out with paper strips.
When children move to fraction divided by fraction, ask them to predict whether the quotient will be larger or smaller than the dividend before they calculate. Dividing by a number less than 1 makes the result bigger, which surprises many students. Close each session with one word problem so they connect the rule to a story.
Which dividing fractions worksheet should you start with?
Start with whole numbers and fractions if students are new to the idea, and use the fraction by fraction sheets once they can name a reciprocal without hesitating. Set B gives a fresh retest.
Level
Skill
Best for
Level 4
Fraction divided by fraction
Grade 6
Level 5
Whole number and fraction division
Grade 5 and early grade 6
Level 8
Word problems with fractions
Grades 5 and 6, after the basics are secure
Frequently asked questions
5 quick answers
Where can I download free dividing fractions worksheets?
Open any worksheet in the Ready-to-print list on this page, choose US Letter or A4, then print or save the PDF. They are free, with answer keys, and no account is needed.
How do you divide fractions?
Keep the first fraction, change the division to multiplication and flip the second fraction. For example, 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2.
What is a reciprocal?
The reciprocal of a fraction is the fraction turned upside down. The reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2, and a number times its reciprocal is 1.
Why do we flip the second fraction?
Dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. Dividing by 1/4 asks how many quarters fit, which is the same as multiplying by 4.
What grade divides fractions?
Grade 5 divides unit fractions and whole numbers, and grade 6 divides any fraction by a fraction.
