Scientific Notation Calculator
Convert between standard and scientific notation, and perform arithmetic on scientific numbers with our free online scientific notation calculator.
How to Use This Calculator
- Convert mode: Enter a standard number or scientific notation (e.g., 4.56e-5) in either field and click Convert to see all representations.
- Multiply/Divide mode: Switch to the math tab and enter two values in scientific notation.
- Click × Multiply or ÷ Divide to compute the result in normalized scientific notation.
- Results are displayed in scientific notation, standard form, and E-notation simultaneously.
Formula
Multiplication: (a × 10m) × (b × 10n) = (a × b) × 10m+n
Division: (a × 10m) / (b × 10n) = (a / b) × 10m−n
Examples
Speed of Light
299,792,458 m/s = 2.998 × 108 m/s in scientific notation.
Avogadro's Number
602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 6.022 × 1023 — the number of particles in one mole.
Planck's Constant
0.000000000000000000000000000000000006626 = 6.626 × 10−34 J·s — a fundamental constant in quantum physics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is scientific notation?
Scientific notation writes very large or very small numbers as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10. For example, 45000 = 4.5 × 104.
What does "e" mean in 4.56e-5?
The "e" stands for "exponent of 10." So 4.56e-5 means 4.56 × 10−5 = 0.0000456. This notation is common in calculators and programming.
When should I use scientific notation?
Use it for extremely large numbers (astronomical distances, national budgets) or extremely small numbers (atomic sizes, chemical concentrations) to avoid writing many zeros.
Is E-notation the same as scientific notation?
Yes. E-notation is the computer-friendly version where "e" replaces " × 10^". Both represent the same value.