Fraction strips (also called fraction bars or a fraction wall) are rows of equal-length bars, each cut into a different number of equal pieces: halves, thirds, fourths and so on. Because every row is the same length, you can see at a glance which fractions are bigger, which are equal, and how they add up to one whole. The generator above builds a free printable fraction wall, fraction strips to cut out, fraction circles, and fraction worksheets (shade the fraction, name the shaded fraction and compare fractions) with answer keys. Label the pieces as fractions, decimals or percents, or leave them blank. Fraction strips are also called fraction bars, and when they are stacked into one chart they make a fraction wall.
In short: fraction strips are equal-length bars split into halves, thirds, fourths and smaller pieces. Here you can print fraction strips (a fraction wall chart, strips to cut out like fraction tiles, or fraction circles) labeled as fractions, decimals, percents or left blank, plus shade, name and compare worksheets with answer keys, all free as PDFs.
Interactive fraction wall
Point at (or tap) any piece and a dashed line drops through the whole wall at its right edge. Every piece that ends on that line is an equivalent fraction, and they are listed above the wall: 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 = 4/8 = 5/10 = 6/12. Click pieces to shade them and see the fraction you have made.
Ready-to-print fraction strips and circles (PDF)
Every fraction strips printable below is a free PDF. Download one, or tap Customize to pick which fractions appear and switch the labels, colors or paper size.
How to use fraction strips
- Start with the whole. The top bar is 1 whole. Every other row is the same length, just cut into more pieces.
- Compare by length. Put one piece of each row side by side: 1/2 is longer than 1/3, which is longer than 1/4. The more pieces a whole is cut into, the smaller each piece.
- Find equivalent fractions. Lay a ruler straight down the wall. Pieces that end at the same place are equal: 2 pieces of 1/6 end exactly where 1/3 ends, so 2/6 = 1/3.
- Add and subtract. Put 1/2 and 1/4 end to end and find the row that matches their total length: 3/4. Children can see why we need a common denominator.
- Make one whole. Ask how many sixths fill the bar (6), or how many fourths make one half (2).
Fraction wall, fraction strips or fraction circles?
| Printable | Best for |
|---|---|
| Fraction wall chart | A one-page reference for comparing fractions and spotting equivalent fractions. Stick it in a math notebook or on the wall. |
| Fraction strips to cut out | Hands-on work: children cut out the strips and physically line pieces up to compare, add and find equal lengths. |
| Fraction circles | Seeing fractions as parts of a round shape (like pizza or pie), especially halves, fourths and eighths. |
| Decimal fraction wall | Connecting fractions to decimals: 1/4 = 0.25, 1/5 = 0.2, 1/8 = 0.125. |
| Percent fraction wall | Connecting fractions to percents: 1/2 = 50%, 1/3 ≈ 33.3%, 1/10 = 10%. |
Decimals and percents for thirds, sixths, sevenths, ninths, elevenths and twelfths repeat forever, so the chart shows them rounded (1/3 is about 0.33).
Equivalent fractions on the fraction wall
Equivalent fractions name the same amount with different numbers. On the wall they line up exactly. Some families to look for:
- One half: 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 = 4/8 = 5/10 = 6/12
- One third: 1/3 = 2/6 = 3/9 = 4/12
- One fourth: 1/4 = 2/8 = 3/12
- Two thirds: 2/3 = 4/6 = 6/9 = 8/12
- Three fourths: 3/4 = 6/8 = 9/12
- One fifth: 1/5 = 2/10
The rule behind the pattern: multiply (or divide) the top and bottom of a fraction by the same number and you get an equivalent fraction. The wall shows why it works: cutting every piece into 2 doubles the number of pieces and doubles the number you have.
Fraction worksheets
- Shade the fraction: each bar or circle is already cut into equal parts. Children shade the number of parts shown by the fraction.
- What fraction is shaded? Children count the shaded parts (the numerator) and all the parts (the denominator) and write the fraction.
- Compare fractions: two bars of the same length show two fractions. Children compare the shaded lengths and write >, < or =. About one in five problems is a pair of equivalent fractions.
Choose Easy for halves, thirds and fourths (grades 1 and 2), Medium for fifths, sixths and eighths (grade 3), or Hard for tenths and twelfths (grades 4 and 5).
Fraction strip activities
- Fraction war: each player draws a fraction card and finds it on the wall. The longer fraction wins.
- Build a whole: use pieces from different rows to make exactly one whole, such as 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/8.
- Color by family: color all the pieces equal to one half in one color, all the thirds family in another.
- Order the unit fractions: line up 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 up to 1/12 from biggest to smallest.
- Fraction circle pizza: cut out circles and “serve” slices: who gets more, the person with 2/8 or the person with 1/3?
Frequently asked questions
10 quick answers
What is the difference between fraction strips, fraction bars and a fraction wall?
Fraction strips and fraction bars are the same thing: rectangles cut into equal parts. A fraction wall stacks them under one whole so you can compare them at a glance.
What are fraction strips?
Fraction strips are equal-length bars divided into equal parts. One strip is a whole, one is split into halves, one into thirds, and so on. They help children compare fractions and find equivalent fractions by length.
What is a fraction wall?
A fraction wall is fraction strips stacked on top of each other in one chart, from 1 whole at the top down to small pieces such as twelfths. Reading straight down the wall shows which fractions are equal.
Are fraction strips and fraction bars the same?
Yes. Fraction strips, fraction bars, fraction tiles and fraction walls all describe equal-length bars cut into equal parts. Tiles are usually plastic, while strips are printed on paper, so these fraction tiles printable sheets are a free paper version of the classroom set.
How do you find equivalent fractions with fraction strips?
Line up the strips and look for pieces that end at exactly the same point. For example, two sixths end where one third ends, so 2/6 = 1/3.
How do you compare fractions with fraction strips?
Find both fractions on the wall, starting from the left edge. The fraction whose shaded length reaches further to the right is the greater fraction.
What are fraction circles?
Fraction circles are circles divided into equal slices, like a pizza. They show fractions as parts of a round whole and are especially good for halves, fourths and eighths.
What grade learns fraction strips?
Children meet halves and fourths in grades 1 and 2. Grade 3 uses fraction strips and number lines to understand fractions as numbers and compare them (Common Core 3.NF), grade 4 finds equivalent fractions and adds fractions with the same denominator (4.NF), and grade 5 adds fractions with different denominators.
Why are 7ths, 9ths and 11ths left out of the basic wall?
They are used much less in school math and make the wall harder to read. Choose “Every fraction 1 to 12” in the generator to include them.
Are these fraction printables free?
Yes. Every fraction wall, set of fraction strips, circle set and worksheet costs nothing and needs no account. Pick Letter or A4 and print in full color or plain black ink.
More fraction and number practice
- Fractions worksheets for every grade.
- Fraction number lines and the fraction number lines chart.
- Decimals worksheets to connect fractions and decimals.
- Comparing numbers worksheets for practising the > and < signs.
- 3rd grade math worksheets and 4th grade math worksheets.