Scientific Notation Calculator
Convert numbers, perform operations, and see every step
Choose Your Mode
Accepts decimals, negatives, and very large/small values
Results
Scientific Notation
1.496 ร 10โธ
Decimal / Standard Form
149,600,000
- Original number: 149,600,000
- Place decimal after first non-zero digit: 1.496
- Moved decimal 8 places left โ exponent +8
- Result: 1.496 ร 10โธ
๐ What Is Scientific Notation?
A way to write very large or very small numbers as a ร 10โฟ, where 1 โค |a| < 10. Used in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and engineering.
๐ข Why Use It?
It simplifies calculations, reduces errors, and makes comparing magnitudes easy. Instead of 0.000000456, write 4.56 ร 10โปโท.
๐ Private & Fast
All calculations happen in your browser. No data is ever sent to any server. Use it anywhere, anytime.
๐ Scientific Notation Rules
Standard Form
a ร 10โฟ where 1 โค |a| < 10, n is integer
Multiplication
(aร10แต) ร (bร10โฟ) = (aรb) ร 10แตโบโฟ
Division
(aร10แต) รท (bร10โฟ) = (aรทb) ร 10แตโปโฟ
Addition & Subtraction
Align exponents first, then add/subtract coefficients
๐ฏ Real-World Examples
๐ Earth-Sun Distance
149,600,000 km โ 1.496 ร 10โธ km
โ๏ธ Planck's Constant
0.0000000000000000000000000000000006626 โ 6.626 ร 10โปยณโด Jยทs
๐งช Avogadro's Number
602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000 โ 6.022 ร 10ยฒยณ
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Why must the coefficient be between 1 and 10?
For consistency and easy comparison. If everyone uses the same format, you can compare numbers just by looking at the exponent.
For consistency and easy comparison. If everyone uses the same format, you can compare numbers just by looking at the exponent.
What's engineering notation?
Similar to scientific notation, but exponents are multiples of 3 (10ยณ, 10โถ, etc.), matching metric prefixes like kilo, mega, milli.
Similar to scientific notation, but exponents are multiples of 3 (10ยณ, 10โถ, etc.), matching metric prefixes like kilo, mega, milli.
Can I use negative exponents?
Yes. Negative exponents represent very small numbers (e.g., 10โปยณ = 0.001).
Yes. Negative exponents represent very small numbers (e.g., 10โปยณ = 0.001).
What if my coefficient is already between 1 and 10?
Then it's already in proper scientific notation. Just verify the exponent is correct.
Then it's already in proper scientific notation. Just verify the exponent is correct.
How do I add numbers in scientific notation?
First, rewrite them with the same exponent. Then add the coefficients and keep the exponent.
First, rewrite them with the same exponent. Then add the coefficients and keep the exponent.
