These printable fraction strips compare one whole with equal parts from halves through twelfths. Every row has the same total length, so the size of one part can be compared fairly across rows.
Labeled fraction-strip reference
The first row represents one whole. The next row divides that whole into two halves, then the following rows divide equal-length wholes into three, four, and up to twelve equal parts. Each part is labeled with its unit fraction.
Practice with blank labels
The practice version keeps the partitions and states how many equal parts are in each row. Write the matching unit fraction inside each part. The completed reference supplies the labels for checking.
Compare fractions using the same whole
Line up the left edges of the rows. One half reaches the same point as two fourths and three sixths, so 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6. One third matches two sixths. Count the parts as well as looking at the shared endpoint.
As the number of equal parts increases, each individual part gets smaller. A twelfth of this whole is smaller than a half of the same whole; the denominator counts equal parts, not the physical length of a part.
Use the strips on paper
- Shade a chosen number of equal parts and name the fraction.
- Use a ruler or spare paper edge to compare endpoints.
- Cut out the rows for movable comparisons, with adult supervision for children using scissors.
- Explain why each complete row still represents one whole.
Use the same print size for strips you compare. Printing one page at a different scale would change the physical whole and make a direct length comparison misleading.
Download and print
Choose Download image beneath a printable to save its original PNG. If you prefer a PDF, select US Letter or A4 and let the website create a one-page file. Check the selected paper size and print preview before making several copies. These are flat printable images rather than fillable forms.
Print these original designs for personal and classroom use. When sharing the resource, link to the article rather than reselling or redistributing the files.