From a fraction to a decimal

The top number is the numerator; the bottom number is the denominator. To convert 5/8, divide 5 by 8.

5 ÷ 8 = 0.625

The division ends exactly, so the decimal shown is exact.

From a decimal to a percentage

A percentage measures a value out of one hundred. Multiply the decimal by 100 and write a percent sign.

(5 ÷ 8) × 100 = 62.5%

Conversion at a glance

FractionDecimalPercent
5/80.62562.5%

Picture the value

Imagine a whole divided into 8 equal pieces. Taking 5 of those pieces gives you 5/8 of the whole. The shaded portion in the circle above shows this share.

Check your method

Always divide the numerator by the denominator, in that order. To turn a percentage back into a decimal, divide by 100. If you need an exact answer for a repeating value, keep the fraction instead of rounding it.