Fraction
Tiles
Equal-length wholes partitioned into fraction strips for comparing, composing, and ordering fractions.
What
they teach.
Simple materials.
Powerful mathematical ideas.
Unit fractions
Compare the lengths of one half, one third, one fourth, and other equal parts.
Equivalence
Line up different combinations that reach the same endpoint.
Fraction sums
Join pieces end to end while keeping the whole length fixed.
How to use them.
Start with curiosity. Make room for discovery.
Align the wholes
Check that each fraction family builds the same total length.
Match an endpoint
Place two quarter tiles beneath a half tile, with their left ends aligned.
Record the relationship
Name the lengths represented and write an equality such as 2/4 = 1/2.
Try an activity
Reach three quarters
Mark the endpoint of three quarter tiles. Find other combinations that reach that point exactly. Explain each solution using the same whole strip.
Alignment makes the comparison meaningful
Put the left ends of the pieces at the same starting point and remove gaps between tiles. Equal endpoints then show equal total lengths. Pieces scattered across a table can be useful for sorting, but they do not yet provide a reliable length comparison.
The denominator describes the number of equal parts in a whole. With a fixed whole, dividing it into more equal parts produces smaller individual pieces. One eighth is therefore shorter than one fourth even though eight is the larger whole number.
A complete set contains only some denominators. Failure to fill a target exactly with the available pieces does not prove the target is impossible to express. Draw a corresponding number line when you want to explore fractions that the kit does not include.
Choose your toolkit.
Find a format that fits your setting.
Check which denominators are included, whether pieces share a common whole length, and whether labels are printed. A storage tray can align pieces but may limit rearrangement.
Physical options link to Amazon. Illustrations show the material, not the exact product.
Physical option · plastic
hand2mind Plastic Rainbow Fraction Tiles (51 pieces)
Fifty-one plastic tiles in nine colors represent a whole through twelfths. Align the proportional lengths to compare fractions and build equivalent amounts.
View on Amazon
Digital alternative
Manipulatives app
The tile view supports comparisons of fractional lengths. Keep a common whole and align the starting points before comparing pieces or combinations.
Explore the appSee our editorial and buying policy. Reviewed .
Related tools.
Explore the library →Fraction Circles
Equal-sized circles divided into equal parts for comparing fractions of the same whole.
Explore Number Lines
Lines with equal unit spacing for locating numbers, comparing distance, and representing operations.
Explore Cuisenaire Rods
Colored rods with lengths in a one-to-ten relationship for comparing numbers, operations, and fractions.
Explore