Classroom · Fractions · 3rd and 4th grade

Comparing fractions worksheets

A free five-page pack for 3rd and 4th grade: learn to compare fractions with >, < and =, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the comparing fractions pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

44 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice comparing fractions, step by step.
0:04 With the same bottom number, the bigger top number is bigger. With the same top number, the smaller bottom number is bigger.
0:12 What fraction is shaded? There are 6 equal parts, and 3 are shaded. That's 3/6.
0:18 Shade 2/3 and 1/3 on the bars. Then compare: 2/3 > 1/3.
0:26 Word problems. Sara ate 3/8 of a cake. Leo ate 5/8. Who ate more? The answer is Leo, because 5/8 > 3/8.
0:37 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

With the same bottom number, the bigger top number is bigger: 3/8 < 5/8. With the same top number, the smaller bottom number is bigger, because the pieces are larger: 1/3 > 1/6.

Teaching tip

Always compare fractions of the same whole. Half of a small pizza is not the same as half of a big one.

Try some

2/4 ? 2/4Tap to check2/4 = 2/4
2/3 ? 1/3Tap to check2/3 > 1/3
1/8 ? 1/6Tap to check1/8 < 1/6
2/8 ? 5/8Tap to check2/8 < 5/8
5/8 ? 1/8Tap to check5/8 > 1/8
1/6 ? 2/6Tap to check1/6 < 2/6

Word problems

Sara ate 3/8 of a cake. Leo ate 5/8. Who ate more?Show answer

Leo (5/8 > 3/8)

Which is bigger: 1/3 or 1/6 of the same loaf?Show answer

1/3 (fewer pieces means bigger pieces)

Sara ran 2/4 of a mile and Leo ran 1/2 of a mile. Who ran farther?Show answer

They ran the same distance (2/4 = 1/2).

Put in order from smallest to largest: 2/3, 1/3, 3/3.Show answer

1/3, 2/3, 3/3

What the worksheets look like

Comparing fractions worksheet: how fractions work, then shapes to name — Page 1: how fractions work, then shapes to name

Fraction wall

Strips for one whole, halves, thirds and so on to twelfths, to compare and find equal fractions.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach comparing fractions?

With the same bottom number, the bigger top number is bigger: 3/8 < 5/8. With the same top number, the smaller bottom number is bigger, because the pieces are larger: 1/3 > 1/6. Always compare fractions of the same whole. Half of a small pizza is not the same as half of a big one.

What grade learns comparing fractions?

Usually 3rd and 4th grade. In the Common Core it is part of 3.NF.A.3d, 4.NF.A.2.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.