Scientific Notation Calculator
Convert numbers to/from scientific notation and do arithmetic — with step-by-step solutions.
About this calculator
Convert any number to scientific notation, convert scientific notation back to standard form, or multiply/divide two numbers in scientific notation. Results are normalized so the coefficient is between 1 and 10.
How scientific notation works
Scientific notation expresses numbers as a coefficient (between 1 and 10) multiplied by a power of 10. For example, 4500 = 4.5 × 10³ and 0.0032 = 3.2 × 10⁻³. To multiply, multiply the coefficients and add the exponents. To divide, divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents. Then normalize so the coefficient is between 1 and 10. Scientific notation is essential in physics, chemistry, engineering, and astronomy for handling very large or very small numbers.