1/5 as a Percent

How to convert 1/5 to a percent

1. Divide the top number by the bottom number: 1 ÷ 5 = 0.2.
2. Multiply by 100: 0.2 × 100 = 20%.

Shortcut: 5 goes into 100 exactly 20 times, so multiply the top and bottom by 20. 1/5 = 20/100 = 20%.

Where you will see 1/5

One fifth is 20%, the same as one item in a five-pack or one weekday in a five-day work week.

Conventional mortgage lenders usually ask for a 20% down payment, 1/5 of the home price, before they waive private mortgage insurance.

How 1/5 compares with nearby fractions

1/5 (20%) is a little more than 1/6 (16.67%) and a little less than 1/4 (25%). This is handy for estimating: if you remember the nearby benchmark, you can check that your answer is in the right range before you rely on it.

Check it in reverse

To go from the percent back to the fraction, write 20% over 100 and simplify. 20% = 20/100, which reduces back to 1/5.

1/5 of common amounts

Knowing that 1/5 is 20% lets you take that share of any number:

• 1/5 of 20 = 4
• 1/5 of 50 = 10
• 1/5 of 80 = 16
• 1/5 of 200 = 40

All the 5ths as percents

Other fractions as percents

• 6/7
• 1/8
• 1/6
• 4/5
• 3/5
• 3/2
• 5/8
• 5/4
• 5 1/5
• 2/5
• 1/3
• 4 3/4
• 4 1/4
• 3/8
• 1/4
• 5/7