Long Division Calculator

About the long division calculator

Long division is the written way to divide big numbers, one digit at a time. This calculator writes the whole division out for you, the way it looks in a school notebook: the answer on top, each subtraction under the number, and the digit you bring down in colour.

Type the dividend (the number you divide) and the divisor (the number you divide by). Choose an answer with a remainder (252 R 3) or a decimal answer (252.75). If the decimal never ends, the calculator stops when the digits start to repeat and puts a line over the repeating digits: 1 ÷ 7 = 0.142857 with a line over 142857.

Features

• The written layout — answer, subtractions and bring-downs, digit by digit
• Every step in words — divide, multiply, subtract, bring down
• Remainder or decimal — 7835 ÷ 25 = 313 R 10, or 313.4
• Repeating decimals marked — the repeating digits get a line, like 0.(3) for 1 ÷ 3
• Decimals in the divisor — 12.6 ÷ 0.3 moves both decimal points first: 126 ÷ 3
• Three layouts — US and UK (bracket), Europe (1008 : 4 = 252) and the box used in France, Spain, Italy and Brazil
• A check line — divisor × quotient + remainder = dividend
• Saved on your device — your numbers are still there next time

How long division works

Repeat four steps until no digits are left — Divide, Multiply, Subtract, Bring down:

1. Divide: how many times does the divisor go into the number you have?
2. Multiply: that digit × the divisor.
3. Subtract: take the product away. The result must be smaller than the divisor.
4. Bring down: write the next digit of the dividend next to the result.

Example: 1008 ÷ 4.

• 4 does not go into 1, so start with 10.
• 10 ÷ 4 = 2. 2 × 4 = 8. 10 − 8 = 2. Bring down 0 → 20.
• 20 ÷ 4 = 5. 5 × 4 = 20. 20 − 20 = 0. Bring down 8 → 8.
• 8 ÷ 4 = 2. 2 × 4 = 8. 8 − 8 = 0. Nothing is left.
• Answer: 252.

A zero in the answer: 4015 ÷ 5. 40 ÷ 5 = 8, remainder 0. Bring down 1: 5 does not go into 1, so write 0 in the answer. Bring down 5 → 15 ÷ 5 = 3. Answer: 803. Forgetting that 0 is the most common mistake.

More examples

The digits in brackets repeat forever; on the page they get a line over them.

Frequently asked questions

What do dividend, divisor, quotient and remainder mean?

In 7835 ÷ 25 = 313 R 10, 7835 is the dividend, 25 is the divisor, 313 is the quotient and 10 is the remainder. Check: 25 × 313 + 10 = 7835.

How do I divide by a decimal?

Move the decimal point to the right in both numbers until the divisor is a whole number. 12.6 ÷ 0.3 becomes 126 ÷ 3 = 42. The answer does not change.

Why do some decimals never end?

When a remainder comes back that you already had, the same digits come again and again. 1 ÷ 7 gives the remainders 1, 3, 2, 6, 4, 5 and then 1 again, so 142857 repeats forever.

When do I write a 0 in the answer?

Every time the divisor does not go into the number after you bring down a digit. Write 0 on top, then bring down the next digit.

Can I use negative numbers?

Yes. The division is done without the signs, and the answer is negative when one of the two numbers is negative.

How big can the numbers be?

Up to 30 digits in the dividend and 12 in the divisor.

Related tools

• Division Worksheets — printable long division practice with answer keys
• Fraction Calculator — work with remainders as fractions
• GCF and LCM Calculator — simplify the remainder fraction
• Prime Factorization Calculator — break a number into primes
• Math Worksheet Generator — practice sheets for all four operations

How to use it

• Type the dividend and the divisor
• Choose Answer with remainder or Decimal answer
• Pick the layout your school uses
• Read the answer in the result box, and the long division with every step under the form
• Or tap an example like 1008 ÷ 4 or 1 ÷ 7