How do I order least to greatest?
Type a list of numbers. The least to greatest calculator puts them in order by their exact values, including fractions and mixed numbers, and shows them joined by < signs.
- In order
- −2, 0, 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 1 1/2
From −2 to 1 1/2: −2, 0, 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 1 1/2.
- With signs
- −2 < 0 < 2/3 < 0.7 < 3/4 < 1 1/2
- Least
- −2
- Greatest
- 1 1/2
- Count
- 6
In order: −2, 0, 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 1 1/2. From −2 to 1 1/2: −2, 0, 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 1 1/2.
How to calculate
Puts whole numbers, decimals, negative numbers, fractions and mixed numbers in order from least to greatest, or greatest to least, by their exact values.
Example with the default inputs (Numbers 3/4, -2, 0.7, 1 1/2, 2/3, 0, Order Least to greatest): From −2 to 1 1/2: −2, 0, 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 1 1/2.
Method: Each number is read as an exact fraction (a decimal over a power of ten, a mixed number w a/b as (w × b + a)/b) and the list is sorted by value; equal values keep the order typed.
- Commas, semicolons and new lines separate numbers; spaces separate them too, except inside a mixed number such as 1 1/2.
- A comma between digits with exactly three digits after it (1,234) could be a thousands separator or a separator between numbers, so the page asks you to type 1234 or 1, 234 instead of guessing.
- Numbers are compared exactly, so 0.1 + 0.2 style rounding never changes the order.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Numbers 3/4, -2, 0.7, 1 1/2, 2/3, 0, Order Least to greatest gives In order −2, 0, 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 1 1/2, With signs −2 < 0 < 2/3 < 0.7 < 3/4 < 1 1/2, Least −2, Greatest 1 1/2, Count 6.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §5.1 Decimals (order decimals: compare them place by place, or on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/5-1-decimals (retrieved 2026-10-05); OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §3.1 Introduction to Integers (order positive and negative numbers on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/3-1-introduction-to-integers (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Numbers 0.5, 0.45, 0.405, 0.54, Order Least to greatest gives In order 0.405, 0.45, 0.5, 0.54.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §5.1 Decimals (order decimals: compare them place by place, or on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/5-1-decimals (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Numbers 1/2; 0.5; 2/4; 1234; -3.25, Order Greatest to least gives In order 1234, 1/2, 0.5, 2/4, −3.25, With signs 1234 > 1/2 = 0.5 = 2/4 > −3.25, Count 5.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §5.1 Decimals (order decimals: compare them place by place, or on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/5-1-decimals (retrieved 2026-10-05); OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §3.1 Introduction to Integers (order positive and negative numbers on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/3-1-introduction-to-integers (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Numbers -7 -3 -10 4, Order Least to greatest gives In order −10, −7, −3, 4, Least −10, Greatest 4.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §3.1 Introduction to Integers (order positive and negative numbers on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/3-1-introduction-to-integers (retrieved 2026-10-05)
How it works
- Read the list. Commas, semicolons and new lines separate the numbers. Spaces separate them too, except inside a mixed number such as
1 1/2. A comma between digits with exactly three digits after it (1,234) is ambiguous, so the page gives no answer and asks for1234or1, 234. Up to 1,000 numbers. - Exact values. Each item is a whole number, a decimal (
0.7,.5,-3.25), a fraction (3/4) or a mixed number (1 1/2= 1 + 1/2;-1 1/2= −(1 + 1/2)). Each is read as an exact fraction. A true minus sign (−) reads as a minus. A leading plus sign (+5,+1/2) and a trailing point (5.) are allowed, and the number is shown as typed. A fraction with a bottom of 0, or any other text, gives no answer. - Sort. The numbers are sorted by exact value, least to greatest or greatest to least. Equal values keep the order in which they were typed.
- Show. Each number is shown as typed (a leading minus as −, runs of spaces as one space). "With signs" joins neighbors with
<(least to greatest),>(greatest to least), or=when they are equal.
Output format. "In order" joins the numbers with , . Least and greatest are the first and last numbers by value.
Worked examples by hand
3/4, −2, 0.7, 1 1/2, 2/3, 0. As decimals: 0.75, −2, 0.7, 1.5, 0.666…, 0. Least to greatest: −2, 0, 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 1 1/2, so −2 < 0 < 2/3 < 0.7 < 3/4 < 1 1/2.
0.5, 0.45, 0.405, 0.54. Tenths: 5, 4, 4, 5. Among 0.45 and 0.405, the hundredths 5 > 0, so 0.405 < 0.45; among 0.5 and 0.54, 0.50 < 0.54. Order: 0.405, 0.45, 0.5, 0.54.
1/2; 0.5; 2/4; 1234; −3.25, greatest to least. 1/2 = 0.5 = 2/4. Order: 1234, 1/2, 0.5, 2/4, −3.25, so 1234 > 1/2 = 0.5 = 2/4 > −3.25.
−7 −3 −10 4. On the number line: −10, −7, −3, 4.
Other questions people ask
How do you order numbers from least to greatest?
Picture them on a number line: numbers further left are smaller. Negative numbers come first (the larger the negative, the smaller it is), then 0, then the positive numbers.
How do I order decimals?
Line up the decimal points and compare place by place: tenths first, then hundredths. 0.405 < 0.45 < 0.5 < 0.54, because 0.405 has 4 tenths and 0 hundredths.
How do I order fractions?
Write each as a decimal (divide the top by the bottom) or give them a common denominator, then compare. 2/3 = 0.666… and 3/4 = 0.75, so 2/3 < 3/4.
Which is smaller, −10 or −3?
−10 is smaller: it is further left on the number line. So −10 < −7 < −3 < 4.
What happens with equal values like 1/2 and 0.5?
They are equal, so the page joins them with = and keeps them in the order you typed them.
Why does the page ask about commas in 1,234?
In a list, a comma separates numbers, so 1,234 could mean one thousand two hundred thirty-four, or 1 and 234. Type 1234, or 1, 234 with a space.