Scientific Notation Calculator
Convert to and from scientific, engineering and E notation, and do arithmetic in it.
About Scientific Notation Calculator
Scientific notation expresses any number as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. It is compact for very large or very small values and makes multiplication and division easy: multiply the coefficients and add (or subtract) the exponents. Engineering notation uses the same structure but restricts the exponent to multiples of 3 so they align with SI prefixes (kilo-, mega-, giga-, milli-, micro-, etc.).
Formulas
Scientific notation
x = a × 10^e where 1 ≤ |a| < 10
- a
- Coefficient (significand)
- e
- Integer exponent
Multiplication in scientific notation
(a₁ × 10^e₁) × (a₂ × 10^e₂) = (a₁·a₂) × 10^(e₁+e₂)
Worked example
With the default values below, Scientific Notation Calculator returns Scientific notation of 6.02 × 10^-4. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Modeone of Decimal → notation, Notation → decimal, Multiply two numbers, Divide two numbers
- Decimal → notation
- Number
- 0.000602
- First number (a₁ × 10^e₁)
- 320,000
- Second number (a₂ × 10^e₂)
- 1,500
- Scientific notation string
- 6.022e23
- Significant figures for coefficientaccepts 1–10
- 4
Results
- Scientific notation
- 6.02 × 10^-4
- Engineering notation
- 602 × 10^-6
- E notation (code style)
- 6.020e-4
- Coefficient
- 6.020000
- Exponent (power of 10)
- -4
Step by step
- 1Input= 0.000602
- 2Find exponent= e = -4
- 3Compute coefficient= a = 6.02
- 4Scientific notation= 6.02 × 10^-4
- 5Engineering notation (exponent multiple of 3)= 602 × 10^-6
- 6E notation= 6.020e-4
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 6 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 10 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between scientific and engineering notation?
Both use a coefficient times a power of 10. Scientific notation forces the coefficient between 1 and 10 (exponent can be any integer). Engineering notation forces the exponent to be a multiple of 3 — so the same number may have a coefficient between 1 and 999. This aligns with SI prefixes: 1 × 10³ = 1 kilo, 1 × 10⁶ = 1 mega, etc.
How do I multiply numbers in scientific notation by hand?
Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents: (3.0 × 10⁴) × (2.0 × 10³) = 6.0 × 10⁷. If the new coefficient is ≥ 10, divide it by 10 and add 1 to the exponent to normalize.
What does 'E notation' mean in a calculator or spreadsheet?
'1.23E+4' means 1.23 × 10⁴ = 12300. It is the text representation used in programming languages, spreadsheets and scientific instruments where superscripts cannot be displayed.