1/4 as a decimal
Divide 1 by 4, or make the bottom 100: 1/4 = 25/100 = 0.25.
The answer
1/4 = 0.25
How to turn 1/4 into a decimal
The quick way is to make an equivalent fraction with a bottom of 100, because hundredths can be written straight down as a decimal.
- 4 × 25 = 100.
- Do the same to the top: 1 × 25 = 25.
- So 1/4 = 25/100, which is 25 hundredths.
25 hundredths is written 0.25: the last digit goes in the hundredths column.
You can also divide the top by the bottom. Short division gives the same answer:
- 4 does not go into 1, so write 0 and a decimal point, then carry the 1 over as 10 tenths.
- 4 goes into 10 2 times, remainder 2. Write 2, and carry the 2 to make 20.
- 4 goes into 20 5 times exactly. Write 5.
- The remainder is 0, so the division stops: 1 ÷ 4 = 0.25.
1/4 as a fraction, decimal and percentage
| Fraction | Decimal | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 0.25 | 25% |
Multiply the top and bottom by the same number and the fraction keeps its value: 1/4, 2/8, 3/12, 4/16 and 5/20 are all equal.
Looking for 2/8 and 3/12? They are the same as 1/4, so they all give the same decimal and percentage.
All the quarters
Every quarter is 25 hundredths: 1/4 is 1 × 25 = 25 hundredths, which is 0.25.
1/4 is one of the fractions worth knowing by heart.
| Fraction | Decimal |
|---|---|
| 1/4 | 0.25 |
| 3/4 | 0.75 |
Shade 1/4 on a fraction wall
The wall opens with 1/4 shaded in the quarters row. Look straight down: the shading ends in exactly the same place in 2/8, so it is equal to 1/4. Tap other pieces to try more fractions.
A fraction wall from halves to tenths, opening on 1/4.
Keep going
Questions parents ask
What is 1/4 as a decimal?
1/4 = 0.25.
Is 1/4 a recurring decimal?
No. 4 × 25 = 100, so 1/4 is exactly 25/100 and the decimal stops at 0.25.
Is 1/4 more or less than a half?
1/4 is less than a half: 0.25 is less than 0.5. Half of 4 is 2, and 1 is less than 2.
What is 1/4 as a percentage?
1/4 = 25%.
Which fractions are the same as 1/4?
2/8, 3/12, 4/16, 5/20 and every other fraction you make by multiplying the top and bottom of 1/4 by the same number. They all equal 0.25.
Fractions, decimals and percentages run all through 11+ maths
Converting between them turns up in 11+ questions on percentages, ratio, money and data. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.