Scientific Notation Calculator 2026 — GlobalCalc

Q: Why use scientific notation?

To write very large or small numbers compactly and to show precision explicitly through significant figures.

Q: What is engineering notation?

Scientific notation restricted to exponents that are multiples of 3, matching SI prefixes: 4.7 × 10⁻³ becomes 4.7 milli.

Q: What does 1e8 mean?

1 × 10⁸ = 100,000,000. The e is how calculators and programs write "times ten to the".

Q: How do I multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Multiply the mantissas and add the exponents: (2 × 10³)(3 × 10⁴) = 6 × 10⁷.

Q: What is an order of magnitude?

The power of ten: two numbers differ by an order of magnitude when one is about ten times the other.

GlobalCalc

Inputs

Number

Results update as you type

Results

Scientific notation

1.496 × 10^8

Engineering notation—

E-notation—

Order of magnitude—

SI prefix—

Reviewed September 2026. Pure mathematics: the result does not depend on where you are. Terminology follows US usage (math, parentheses, decimal point).

All calculations run 100% in your browser. The calculator code does not submit your figures to GlobalCalc to obtain a result.

About scientific notation

Method

How the scientific notation calculator works

Move the decimal point until one non-zero digit is in front of it and count the moves: 149,600,000 = 1.496 × 10⁸. Engineering notation uses powers of 1,000 so the prefix (kilo, mega, milli…) can be read off: 149.6 × 10⁶.

Formula: x = a × 10ⁿ with 1 ≤ |a| < 10

Data

Worked examples

Inputs	Scientific notation	Note
149,600,000 (km to the Sun)	1.496 × 10^8	1.496 × 10⁸
0.000000123	1.23 × 10^-7	1.23 × 10⁻⁷, 123 nano
6.022e23	6.022 × 10^23	Avogadro's number

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why use scientific notation?

To write very large or small numbers compactly and to show precision explicitly through significant figures.

What is engineering notation?

Scientific notation restricted to exponents that are multiples of 3, matching SI prefixes: 4.7 × 10⁻³ becomes 4.7 milli.

What does 1e8 mean?

1 × 10⁸ = 100,000,000. The e is how calculators and programs write "times ten to the".

How do I multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Multiply the mantissas and add the exponents: (2 × 10³)(3 × 10⁴) = 6 × 10⁷.

What is an order of magnitude?

The power of ten: two numbers differ by an order of magnitude when one is about ten times the other.

Sources

Where these figures come from

NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Functions — reference definitions for elementary and special functions
Wolfram MathWorld — definitions and formulas for every topic on this page
NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods — the statistical formulas (mean, variance, z, confidence intervals, sample size)
Common Core State Standards — Mathematics — the terms and methods taught in US schools

Last checked: September 2026. Formulas are fixed by mathematics and do not change with tax years or regulations.