About the scientific notation calculator
Scientific notation writes a number as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. It’s used in science, engineering, and calculators to keep huge and tiny numbers readable.
How to use this calculator
- Type a number, such as 45000 or 0.00032.
- Or enter E-notation, such as 6.02e23.
- Read the scientific, E-, and engineering forms.
Worked examples
- Move the decimal 4 places right: 4.56
- The number is small, so the exponent is −4
4.56 × 10⁻⁴.
Measurement guidance
Significant figures
Keep the same number of significant figures as your original measurement — 4.50 × 10³ says more precision than 4.5 × 10³.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1.2e5 mean?
It’s E-notation for 1.2 × 10⁵, or 120,000.
Can the coefficient be negative?
Yes. −3.1 × 10² is −310. The sign belongs to the coefficient, not the exponent.