Scientific Notation Calculator: Convert to a × 10^n
Pick a direction. Convert a number to scientific notation, or enter a coefficient and a power of ten to get the ordinary number.
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Formula
number = a × 10^n, with 1 ≤ |a| < 10 and n a whole number.
To convert, move the decimal point until one non-zero digit is before it. The number of places moved is the exponent: positive when the point moves left, negative when it moves right.
Worked example
123,456 becomes 1.23456 × 10^5 (point moved 5 places left). In the other direction, 3.2 × 10^4 = 32,000, and 0.00045 = 4.5 × 10^-4.
Frequently asked questions
What is scientific notation?
It writes a number as a × 10^n, where a is at least 1 and less than 10 (in size) and n is a whole number. For example, 123,456 is 1.23456 × 10^5.
How do I convert a small number to scientific notation?
Move the decimal point right until one non-zero digit is in front of it, and use a negative exponent equal to the number of moves. 0.00045 becomes 4.5 × 10^-4.
How do I convert scientific notation back to a normal number?
Move the decimal point n places right if n is positive, or left if it is negative. 3.2 × 10^4 is 32,000 and 1.5 × 10^-3 is 0.0015.
What if my coefficient is not between 1 and 10?
The calculator normalises it. 25 × 10^3 is 25,000, which is written 2.5 × 10^4.