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Scientific Notation Calculator & Converter

This scientific notation calculator converts numbers to and from scientific, E, and engineering notation, and it adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides with the steps written out.

What do you want to do?

Accepts standard form, scientific notation (4.5 × 10^4), E notation (3.2E-4), and engineering notation (45 × 10^3). The math stays in your browser.

Examples: 45000, 0.00032, 4.5 × 10^4, or 3.2E-4.

Result

4.5 × 10^4

Standard form
45,000
Scientific notation
4.5 × 10^4
E notation
4.5E4
Engineering notation
45 × 10^3
  1. 45000 is standard form.
  2. The decimal point in 45000 moves left 4 places so one non-zero digit stays to the left: 4.5. The exponent is 4.
  3. Scientific notation: 4.5 × 10^4.
  4. E notation: 4.5E4.
  5. Engineering notation: 45 × 10^3. The exponent 3 is a multiple of 3.
  6. Standard form: 45,000.

How to use

  1. Choose convert, or add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
  2. Enter a number as standard form (45000 or 0.00032), scientific notation (4.5 × 10^4), E notation (3.2E-4), or engineering notation (45 × 10^3).
  3. For arithmetic, enter the second number. Coefficients are normalized so one non-zero digit stays left of the decimal.
  4. Read standard form, scientific notation, E notation, engineering notation, and the steps. Clear empties the fields.

Formula

Scientific notation writes a number as a × 10^n, where 1 ≤ |a| < 10 and n is an integer. E notation replaces × 10^ with E. Engineering notation uses the same idea, but n is a multiple of 3. To multiply, multiply the coefficients and add the exponents, then normalize. To divide, divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents. To add or subtract, match the exponents first.

Example. 45,000 = 4.5 × 10^4 = 4.5E4 = 45 × 10^3. (2 × 10^3)(4 × 10^5) = 8 × 10^8. 0.00032 = 3.2 × 10^-4.

Significant figures

This page converts the value and shows the arithmetic. It does not keep trailing zeros as significant figures. Use the significant figures calculator when the zeros in a measurement matter.

Frequently asked questions

What is scientific notation?

A number written as a × 10^n, where 1 ≤ |a| < 10 and n is an integer. 45,000 = 4.5 × 10^4.

How do I convert a small number?

Move the decimal right until one non-zero digit is left of it; the exponent is negative. 0.00032 = 3.2 × 10^-4.

How do I multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents, then normalize. (2 × 10^3)(4 × 10^5) = 8 × 10^8.

What is E notation?

A calculator format where E means "times ten to the". 3.2E-4 = 3.2 × 10^-4.

What is engineering notation?

Like scientific notation but the exponent is a multiple of 3, matching prefixes like kilo and milli.

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