/2
one-half
halves
3/2 = three-halves
Fraction vocabulary
Fraction Names: Halves, Thirds, Fourths & More
Learn how to read fraction names, from one-half and two-thirds to seven-eighths and five-twelfths. Use the denominator to name the part size and the numerator to count how many parts are named.
Quick name guide
Read the top number, then name the bottom number
In 3/4, the numerator 3 tells you to say three. The denominator 4 tells you to say fourths. Together, the fraction name is three-fourths. This same pattern works for most fractions: count first, part name second.
3/4
three-fourths
Three equal parts are counted; fourths names the size of each part because four equal parts make the whole.
Denominator to name
/2half / halves
/3third / thirds
/4fourth / fourths
/5fifth / fifths
/6sixth / sixths
/7seventh / sevenths
/8eighth / eighths
/9ninth / ninths
Use the singular name after one and the plural name after two or more: one-sixth, but two-sixths; one-half, but three-halves.
Quick answer
Fraction names tell the number of equal parts being discussed. Read the numerator as a regular counting number. Then use the denominator to name one equal part: halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, and so on. For example, 5/6 is five-sixths.
The denominator does more than supply a word ending. It tells the size of the parts. Three halves, three fourths, and three eighths all count three pieces, but the pieces are different sizes. Saying the full fraction name helps keep that meaning clear.
Reference chart
Common fraction names by denominator
Learn the denominator names first. Once you know that 8 means eighths and 10 means tenths, you can read many fractions without memorizing each one separately. Notice the special spelling changes in halves and twelfths.
Bottom numberOne partMore than oneExample
/3
one-third
thirds
2/3 = two-thirds
/4
one-fourth
fourths
3/4 = three-fourths
/5
one-fifth
fifths
4/5 = four-fifths
/6
one-sixth
sixths
5/6 = five-sixths
/7
one-seventh
sevenths
3/7 = three-sevenths
/8
one-eighth
eighths
7/8 = seven-eighths
/9
one-ninth
ninths
2/9 = two-ninths
/10
one-tenth
tenths
9/10 = nine-tenths
/12
one-twelfth
twelfths
5/12 = five-twelfths
Read any fraction
A simple way to read fraction names
First, look at the denominator and name the unit. A denominator of 4 means fourths; a denominator of 7 means sevenths. Next, look at the numerator and say how many of those parts are counted. The fraction 2/7 becomes two-sevenths, and 9/10 becomes nine-tenths.
Use singular grammar only when the numerator is 1. Say one-third, one-eighth, and one-twelfth. When the numerator is greater than 1, use the plural form: two-thirds, five-eighths, and eleven-twelfths. This rule makes the fraction sound like ordinary English while preserving its mathematical meaning.
Start from a visual model whenever a name feels abstract. If a bar has six equal sections and five are shaded, point to all six first: those are sixths. Then count the five shaded parts: five-sixths. The spoken name, written symbol, and picture should all match.
More than one whole
Naming improper fractions and mixed numbers
You can use the same fraction names when the numerator is larger than the denominator. The fraction 7/4 is seven-fourths. It is called an improper fraction because it names more than one whole, but it is not incorrect. Four fourths make one whole, leaving three more fourths.
The same amount can be written as the mixed number 1 3/4, read one and three-fourths. Read the whole number first, say and, then read the fractional part normally. Mixed numbers are often easier to picture, while improper fractions are often easier to use in calculations.
Check your reading
Common fraction-name mistakes
Naming the numerator instead of the denominator
In 3/8, three is the count, but eighths names the size of each part. Read it as three-eighths, not three-thirds or eight-thirds.
Forgetting the special word halves
The denominator 2 uses half or halves. Say one-half and three-halves, not one-two-th or three-twoths.
Using a singular name after a larger numerator
One-fourth is singular, but two-fourths and three-fourths are plural. The numerator tells you whether one part or several parts are being named.
Next step
Connect fraction names to symbols and models
Once you can read three-fourths and five-eighths aloud, return to the fraction symbol. Identifying the numerator, denominator, and equal parts makes it easier to write a fraction correctly from a picture or a word problem.
Review the fraction symbol →Common questions
Fraction Names FAQ
Fraction names are the words used to read a fraction. The numerator is read as a counting number, and the denominator gives the part name. For example, 3/4 is three-fourths and 5/8 is five-eighths.