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60% as a fraction

Per cent means out of 100: 60% is 60/100, which simplifies to 3/5.

The answer

60% = 3/5

How to write 60% as a fraction

Per cent means out of 100, so write the percentage over 100: 60% = 60/100.

Simplify by dividing the top and bottom by the same number. In one go, divide by the highest common factor, 20: 60/100 = 3/5.

If you cannot spot 20, smaller steps get there too:

  1. Divide by 10: 6/10
  2. Divide by 2: 3/5

3 and 5 share no factor except 1, so 3/5 is the simplest form.

As a decimal, 60% = 0.6: divide by 100, which moves each digit two places to the right.

To check, divide back: see 3/5 as a decimal and 3/5 as a percentage.

Using 3/5 to find 60% of an amount

Knowing that 60% is 3/5 makes finding 60% of an amount quick: divide by 5 to find 1/5, then multiply by 3.

60% of 40 = 40 ÷ 5 × 3 = 8 × 3 = 24

The bar model below opens on 60% of 40 and reaches the same answer another way, by building 60% from 50% and 10%. Change the numbers to try your own.

A bar model that finds a percentage of any amount, step by step. 60% of 40 is 24.

See 3/5

60 squares out of 100 are shaded: 60/100, which is 60%.

More percentages as fractions

Questions parents ask

What is 60% as a fraction?

60% = 60/100 = 3/5 in its simplest form.

What is 60% as a decimal?

60% = 0.6. Divide by 100: the digits move two places to the right.

How do you find 60% of an amount?

60% is 3/5, so divide by 5, then multiply by 3. For 60% of 40: 40 ÷ 5 = 8, and 8 × 3 = 24.

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.