Free calculator
Scientific notation calculator
Paste or type a decimal, E-notation value (like 1.23E-4), or m×10^n (for example 3.45×10^8). This page shows the same plain decimal, canonical scientific form (coefficient between 1 and 10), engineering notation (exponent a multiple of 3), and a copy-ready E-string—using double-precision rules like Google Sheets and Excel. Not a graphing “scientific calculator” app (no trig stack); for a^b and e^x use this site’s exponent calculator.
When to use this calculator
Normalize very large or very small numbers before you paste them into a model, slide, or homework check.
- Match POWER(10, n) or typed E literals when you line up the same value in Google Sheets or Excel.
- Read engineering notation (exponent a multiple of 3) the way many datasheets and EE problems express magnitudes.
- Cross-check list sorting or summary stats on big magnitudes after you paste from CSV—see least to greatest and mean / median / mode tools on this site.
- For powers a^b and e^x with spreadsheet parity, open the exponent calculator instead of forcing them through this converter.
We parse your string into a finite IEEE-754 double, then derive canonical scientific coefficients in [1, 10) (or 0 for zero) and engineering exponents on multiples of 3. Multiply in scientific form: multiply coefficients and add exponents; divide: divide coefficients and subtract exponents—this page does not run a full two-operand ×/÷ UI in v1, but the rules are the same ones you use by hand.
Parsing your input
We accept plain decimals (with light . / , tolerance), E-notation, and a compact m×10^n pattern with an integer n. Extremely large exponents are rejected when 10^n would overflow a double.
Canonical scientific form
For nonzero x, we compute m and integer n with x = m·10^n and 1 ≤ |m| < 10. This matches the textbook definition used in most STEM and spreadsheet courses (up to floating-point rounding).
Engineering notation
We also show m_e·10^k where k is a multiple of 3 and m_e is the corresponding coefficient—handy when magnitudes line up with k, M, G, … prefixes.
For a^b and e^x with the same double rules as POWER / EXP, open the exponent calculator after you normalize a single magnitude here.
For rounding and significant figures workflows, use the significant figures calculator—this page does not apply sig-fig rules to the readouts.
The FAQ covers TI/Casio display modes, sig figs, fractions, and why a cell can look different from the string copied here.
Google Sheets & Excel
You can type many values directly (1.23E-4). For 10^n explicitly, POWER(10, n) matches 10^n in double precision on modern Excel and Google Sheets (English POWER; POTENZ in German Excel, PUISSANCE in French Excel). Display formats use TEXT / cell formatting rather than changing the stored binary value—see the FAQ.
=POWER(10,B1)B1 holds the integer n in 10^n. Same idea as typing 1E3 for 1000 when the grid accepts E literals.
=TEXT(A1,"0.00E+00")Formats how A1 looks; it does not change the stored value. Locale and format codes differ—confirm in your build’s format dialog.
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Frequently asked questions
What is scientific notation?
It writes a number as m·10^n where n is an integer and the coefficient m has one nonzero digit to the left of the decimal (except 0, which we show as 0). It keeps very large or very small values readable.
What is E-notation?
E-notation is what many languages and spreadsheets use in literals: 1.23E-4 means 1.23×10⁻⁴. The E (or e) separates the coefficient from the integer exponent.
What is engineering notation?
It is like scientific notation, but the exponent is constrained to multiples of three (… -6, -3, 0, 3, 6 …) so the coefficient often lines up with metric prefixes (milli, kilo, mega, …).
How do I multiply or divide numbers in scientific notation?
Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents: (a·10^m)(b·10^n) = (ab)·10^(m+n). Divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents: (a·10^m)/(b·10^n) = (a/b)·10^(m−n). Adjust back to canonical form if |ab| or |a/b| is outside [1, 10).
Does this calculator enforce significant figures?
No. Readouts follow double-precision values without applying your instructor’s sig-fig rules. Use the significant figures tool on this site when you need rounding or digit rules for reporting.
Can I enter a fraction like 3/4?
Not in v1—enter a decimal first (for example 0.75). For percent-style inputs, the percentage tool may be a better fit than parsing fraction bars here.
Is this the same as Desmos or a TI scientific calculator?
No. This page is a notation converter for one number at a time—not a full graphing or scientific calculator with trig, logs, and solver modes. On hardware, switch your model’s display to SCI/NORM if you only need notation while you calculate elsewhere.
Why does Excel or Sheets look different from your plain decimal line?
Cells can apply number formats (TEXT, General, engineering format) that round for display without changing the binary value. Compare against the formula bar or increase decimal to see the full stored value.
Is this page tutoring or exam advice?
No—it is an educational converter. Your course, lab manual, or employer may require different rounding, units, or reporting rules than double-precision display.