Last updated October 13, 2026 · Report an error
Scientific notation writes very large or very small numbers compactly, as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10.
This calculator converts any number into scientific notation, showing how the coefficient and exponent are found.
How it works
Enter a number. The calculator moves the decimal point until exactly one nonzero digit remains before it, giving the coefficient — the number of places the decimal moved becomes the exponent (positive if the original number was 10 or greater, negative if it was less than 1).
- Enter number.
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
A large number
1,234,000 in scientific notation is 1.234 × 10⁶.
A small number
0.000567 in scientific notation is 5.67 × 10⁻⁴.
Who should use it
- Converting a large or small number for a chemistry or physics problem.
- Checking scientific notation homework.
Industry applications
- Science and engineering education
- Physics, chemistry, and astronomy calculations
Advantages
- Handles both very large and very small numbers correctly.
- Shows the coefficient and exponent separately, alongside the combined notation.
Limitations
- Converts one direction only — from standard decimal to scientific notation, not the reverse.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the coefficient outside the 1-10 range (like 12.34 × 10⁵ instead of 1.234 × 10⁶).
- Getting the sign of the exponent backwards — numbers greater than 10 get a positive exponent, numbers less than 1 get a negative exponent.
Best practices
- Double check your result by mentally moving the decimal point back the number of places indicated by the exponent — it should reproduce the original number.
Tips
- Zero is a special case in scientific notation — by convention it's written as 0 × 10⁰ rather than having a "true" coefficient and exponent.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, with no signup and no limit on how many calculations you run.
That's the defining convention of scientific notation — it ensures every number has one, unambiguous scientific notation representation.
A negative exponent means the original number is less than 1 — the decimal point moved to the right to reach the coefficient, rather than to the left.
It makes very large or very small numbers much easier to read, write, and compare than writing out all the digits and zeros.