Inch Fraction Calculator

The tape measure speaks fractions — 3/8, 7/16, 1-3/4 — while plans, 3D printers and product pages speak decimals and millimeters. This calculator translates both ways: type a fraction and get the decimal and millimeter value, or type a decimal and get the nearest fraction to the 1/16th of an inch.

It also knows mixed fractions: 1-3/4 inches is one entry, not two fields. Everything updates as you type, so you can check 'is 14 mm closer to 9/16 or 5/8?' without leaving the page.

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FractionDecimalMM
1/80.1253.175
1/40.256.35
3/80.3759.525
1/20.512.7
5/80.62515.875
3/40.7519.05
7/80.87522.225
11.025.4

How to use

  1. Type a fraction like 3/8 or a mixed one like 1-3/4 — decimal inches and millimeters appear instantly.
  2. Type a decimal like 0.375 to get the nearest fraction to the 1/16th of an inch.
  3. Check the nearest-16th table below for the tape-measure reading you need.

Frequently asked questions

What is 3/8 of an inch in decimals and mm?

3/8 inch = 0.375 inches = 9.525 mm. Type it into the converter to confirm, and check neighboring fractions (11/32 = 0.344, 13/32 = 0.406) when a measurement sits between marks.

How do I read fractions on a tape measure?

Between each inch mark, a tape divides into 16ths: the longest halfway mark is 1/2, quarter marks are 1/4 and 3/4, eighths next, and the shortest lines are 1/16 steps. Count lines from the inch mark and read top-down.

What is 0.375 inches as a fraction?

0.375 = 3/8 exactly. Multiply the decimal by 16: 0.375 × 16 = 6, so it is 6/16, which simplifies to 3/8. The calculator does this rounding automatically.

Why do my digital calipers disagree with the tape?

Calipers show decimal inches (or mm) to three places; tapes show fractions to the nearest 1/16 (0.0625). A tape reading of 9/16 (0.5625) and a caliper reading of 0.567 are the same measurement, rounded differently.

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