Skip to main content

GCD & LCM Calculator Find the Greatest Common Divisor and Least Common Multiple of two or more numbers.

GCD & LCM Calculator illustration
🔢

GCD & LCM Calculator

Find the Greatest Common Divisor and Least Common Multiple of two or more numbers.

1

Enter Numbers

Type two or more integers separated by commas or spaces.

2

View GCD & LCM

Both the GCD and LCM are calculated and displayed simultaneously.

3

Check the Relationship

See the mathematical relationship between GCD and LCM of your numbers.

Loading tool...

What Is GCD & LCM Calculator?

The GCD (Greatest Common Divisor), also known as HCF (Highest Common Factor), is the largest positive integer that divides all given numbers without leaving a remainder. The LCM (Least Common Multiple) is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of all given numbers. For two numbers a and b, these are related by the identity GCD(a,b) × LCM(a,b) = |a × b|. These concepts are fundamental in simplifying fractions (divide both parts by GCD), finding common denominators (use LCM), scheduling problems (when events with different periods align), and number theory. This calculator accepts multiple numbers and computes both GCD and LCM simultaneously using the Euclidean algorithm, extended pairwise across all inputs.

Why Use GCD & LCM Calculator?

  • Calculates both GCD and LCM simultaneously
  • Supports more than two numbers
  • Uses the efficient Euclidean algorithm
  • Shows the mathematical relationship between results
  • Handles large numbers accurately

Common Use Cases

Fraction Simplification

Find the GCD to reduce fractions to their simplest form.

Common Denominators

Find the LCM to add or subtract fractions with different denominators.

Scheduling Problems

Determine when recurring events with different periods will coincide.

Number Theory

Explore divisibility properties and integer relationships.

Technical Guide

The GCD is computed using the Euclidean algorithm: GCD(a, b) = GCD(b, a mod b), repeating until the remainder is 0, at which point the other number is the GCD. This runs in O(log(min(a,b))) time. For multiple numbers, GCD is associative: GCD(a,b,c) = GCD(GCD(a,b), c). The LCM for two numbers is computed as LCM(a,b) = |a×b| / GCD(a,b), which avoids the less efficient method of listing multiples. For multiple numbers, LCM is also associative: LCM(a,b,c) = LCM(LCM(a,b), c). The identity GCD(a,b) × LCM(a,b) = |a×b| only holds for exactly two numbers. The calculator takes absolute values of all inputs since GCD and LCM are defined for positive integers. Numbers equal to zero are excluded since every integer divides zero, making GCD trivially equal to the other number, and LCM involving zero is zero.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    GCD and LCM are always positive integers
  • 2
    If GCD = 1, the numbers are coprime (they share no common factors)
  • 3
    For two numbers: GCD × LCM = |a × b|
  • 4
    LCM is useful for finding when periodic events align
  • 5
    GCD can be found by listing shared prime factors and taking the smallest powers

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is the GCD of two numbers?
The GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) is the largest number that divides both numbers evenly. For example, GCD(12, 18) = 6.
Q What is the LCM of two numbers?
The LCM (Least Common Multiple) is the smallest number that is a multiple of both numbers. For example, LCM(4, 6) = 12.
Q What does coprime mean?
Two numbers are coprime (or relatively prime) if their GCD is 1, meaning they share no common factors other than 1. For example, 8 and 15 are coprime.
Q Can I enter more than two numbers?
Yes, the calculator accepts any number of integers separated by commas or spaces and computes the GCD and LCM of the entire set.
Q What is the Euclidean algorithm?
An efficient method for computing GCD: repeatedly divide the larger number by the smaller and take the remainder, until the remainder is 0. The last non-zero remainder is the GCD.

About This Tool

GCD & LCM Calculator is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.