Convert any number to scientific notation (a × 10ⁿ), E notation
(ae+n) and engineering notation with SI prefixes. Accepts common decimals, notation
3e4 and multiplication 3*10^4.
Scientific Notation Calculator
Enter decimal or scientific notation
How to use the calculator
- Enter the number in the field Number. You can use:
- Common decimal:
30000 - E notation:
3e4(equivalent to 3 × 10⁴) - Multiplication with power:
3*10^4
- Common decimal:
- Optionally, check Adjust significant figures and enter how many you want.
- Click Convert to see scientific notation, E notation, and the SI prefix.
What is scientific notation
A scientific notation is a standardized way of writing very large or very small numbers in the format:
a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ |a| < 10 and n is an integer.
| Number | Scientific notation | E notation |
|---|---|---|
| 30.000 | 3 × 10⁴ | 3e+4 |
| 0,00056 | 5,6 × 10⁻⁴ | 5.6e-4 |
| 1.222.200.000.000 | 1,2222 × 10¹² | 1.2222e+12 |
| −0,0000071 | −7,1 × 10⁻⁶ | -7.1e-6 |
| 1 | 1 × 10⁰ | 1e+0 |
How to convert to scientific notation
- Move the decimal point until there is only one non-zero digit left.
- Each position moved to left increases the exponent by 1. Each position at right decreases by 1.
- Write the result as a × 10ⁿ.
Example: 45.600
- Move the decimal point 4 places to the left: 4.56
- Result: 4,56 × 10⁴
Engineering notation and SI prefixes
In engineering notation, the exponent is always a multiple of 3, facilitating the use of SI prefixes:
| Prefix | Symbol | Power | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tera | T | 10¹² | 1.5 THz |
| Giga | G | 10⁹ | 2.4GHz |
| Mega | M | 10⁶ | 100MHz |
| Kilo | k | 10³ | 5 km |
| Milli | m | 10⁻³ | 3mm |
| Micro | μ | 10⁻⁶ | 7μm |
| Nano | n | 10⁻⁹ | 1nm |
| Pico | p | 10⁻¹² | 1 pF |
FAQ
What is scientific notation?
Scientific notation represents numbers in the format a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ |a| < 10. It is used to simplify very large numbers (such as the distance between stars) or very small numbers (such as the diameter of an atom).
How to convert a number to scientific notation?
Move the decimal point until there is one non-zero digit left. Each position to the left adds 1 to the exponent; to the right, subtract 1. Example: 45,600 → 4.56 × 10⁴ (comma moved 4 places to the left).
What is engineering notation?
In engineering notation, the exponent is always a multiple of 3, allowing the use of SI prefixes (kilo, mega, giga, etc.). Example: 45,600 = 45.6 × 10³ = 45.6 k.
How to use E notation on calculators?
The E notation replaces "× 10^" with "e". Thus, 3 × 10⁴ = 3e4 and 5.6 × 10⁻⁴ = 5.6e-4. Widely used in scientific calculators and programming languages.
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