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Scientific Calculator

This free scientific calculator evaluates full expressions with brackets, powers, roots, trigonometry, logarithms, factorials and the constants π and e. Type an expression or use the keypad, switch between degrees and radians, and the answer updates as you type.

Type or use the keys. Example: 3sin(45) + 2^10

Angles

Result

= 94

Expression2 × (3 + 4)^2 − √16

Angles in degrees. Results show up to 12 significant digits.

How to Use the Scientific Calculator

Type an expression in the box, or build it with the keys, and the result appears straight away. Function keys such as sin and √ add an opening bracket for you; close it with ).

Key What it does Example
^ Power 2^10 = 1024
x² Square 7² = 49
√ Square root √(81) = 9
sin, cos, tan Trigonometric functions sin(30) = 0.5 in degrees
ln Natural log (base e) ln(e) = 1
log Common log (base 10) log(100) = 2
! Factorial 5! = 120
π, e Constants π ≈ 3.14159, e ≈ 2.71828

You can also type asin, acos and atan for inverse trig functions, cbrt for cube roots and abs for absolute value.

Order of Operations

The calculator follows the standard order of operations:

  1. Brackets and function arguments
  2. Exponents: powers and roots, worked right to left, so 2^3^2 = 2^9 = 512
  3. Multiplication and division, left to right
  4. Addition and subtraction, left to right

Worked Example

The default expression is 2 × (3 + 4)^2 − √16:

  1. Brackets: 3 + 4 = 7
  2. Exponents and roots: 7² = 49, and √16 = 4
  3. Multiplication: 2 × 49 = 98
  4. Subtraction: 98 − 4 = 94

Tips and Common Mistakes

Check the angle mode

sin(90) is 1 in degrees but about 0.894 in radians. If a trig answer looks wrong, switch modes.

Use brackets for fractions in powers and functions

2^1/2 means (2^1) ÷ 2 = 1. To get the square root, write 2^(1/2). Likewise, √(9 + 16) = 5, but √9 + 16 = 19.

Undefined results

Dividing by zero, the log of zero or a negative number, the square root of a negative number and tan(90°) have no real answer. The calculator explains which one occurred instead of showing an error code.

For exact fraction answers, use the fraction calculator; to simplify a root, try the square root calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order does the calculator do operations in?

The standard order of operations. Brackets first, then exponents (powers and roots), then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction from left to right. So 2 + 3 × 4 = 14, while (2 + 3) × 4 = 20.

Should I use degrees or radians?

Use degrees for angles measured in degrees, as in most geometry and everyday problems, where sin(30) = 0.5. Use radians in calculus and physics, where angles are often written with π, such as sin(π/2) = 1. Using the wrong mode is the most common reason for an unexpected trig answer.

Why is −2² equal to −4?

The exponent applies before the minus sign, so −2² means −(2²) = −4. To square negative two, put it in brackets, (−2)² = 4. Most scientific calculators and math textbooks follow this rule.

What is the difference between log and ln?

log is the common logarithm, base 10, so log(1000) = 3 because 10³ = 1000. ln is the natural logarithm, base e (about 2.71828), so ln(e) = 1. Both are defined only for numbers greater than 0.

How do I enter a power or a root?

Use ^ for powers, as in 2^10 = 1024, or x² for squares. Use √ for square roots, as in √(16) = 4, and cbrt for cube roots. For other roots, use a fractional power, such as 32^(1/5) = 2.

What does the ! key do?

It's the factorial, the product of all whole numbers from 1 up to that number. 5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120, and 0! = 1 by definition. Factorials are defined only for whole numbers.

Can I skip the multiplication sign?

Yes. The calculator treats a number next to a bracket, a constant or a function as multiplication, so 2π, 3(4 + 1) and 2sin(30) work as written.

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