Scientific Notation Calculator
To or from a × 10^n. Click any i for detail.
Number
Direction
i
Mode
Ordinary → sci, or coefficient × 10^n → value. |
|
|---|---|
Value
i
Value
Ordinary number. |
|
Coefficient
i
Coefficient
The a in a × 10^n. |
|
Exponent
i
Exponent
Integer n. |
How to use this calculator
- Pick convert to scientific notation or from a × 10ⁿ.
- Enter the ordinary value or coefficient and exponent.
- Read the other form and decimal.
- Use to-mode when typing big or tiny numbers.
Results explained
Scientific notation writes a × 10ⁿ with coefficient a in [1, 10) (or a = 0). From-mode multiplies coefficient by 10ⁿ.
Quick reference: sci notation
32,000 = 3.2 × 10⁴.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| To sci | n = floor(log10 |x|), a = x / 10ⁿ |
| From sci | value = a × 10ⁿ |
| Zero | 0 × 10⁰ |
| E notation | 3.2e4 means 3.2 × 10⁴ |
Extreme magnitudes follow IEEE floating-point limits.
How the estimate is built
n = ⌊log₁₀|x|⌋; a = x / 10ⁿ; reverse: x = a × 10ⁿ.
Example scenario
32,000 → 3.2 × 10⁴.
FAQ
Why must a be between 1 and 10?
That is the normalized scientific form so exponents count decades clearly.
Is 3.2e4 the same?
Yes on calculators and spreadsheets. e marks the exponent.
Can exponents be negative?
Yes. 5 × 10⁻³ is 0.005.