Unit Rate Calculator
Calculate the unit rate from any two quantities. Enter a total amount and the number of units to find the rate per single unit. Works for pricing, speed, density, and any other rate you need to calculate.
A unit rate tells you how much of something you get (or pay) for exactly one unit of something else. It is the simplest way to compare quantities with different sizes.
What is a Unit Rate?
A unit rate is a ratio with a denominator of 1. If 6 apples cost $4.50, the unit rate is $4.50 / 6 = $0.75 per apple. If you drive 180 miles in 3 hours, the unit rate is 60 miles per hour.
How to Calculate:
Divide the quantity by the number of units: rate = quantity / units. That is it. The key is identifying which number goes on top and which goes on the bottom.
Comparing Unit Rates:
Unit rates make comparison shopping easy. If Brand A sells 12 oz for $3.60 (= $0.30/oz) and Brand B sells 16 oz for $4.00 (= $0.25/oz), Brand B is the better deal even though it costs more total.
Common Unit Rates:
- Price per unit: cost divided by quantity
- Speed: distance divided by time (mph, km/h)
- Fuel efficiency: miles per gallon or km per liter
- Typing speed: words per minute
- Heart rate: beats per minute
- Population density: people per square mile