How to use the Scientific Calculator
- Type an expression with your keyboard or tap the keys, for example 2(3+4)^2 or sin(30). The answer previews as you type.
- Choose DEG or RAD before using trig functions, and press 2nd for inverse trig, eˣ, 10ˣ, cube root and x³.
- Press = or Enter to finish. The result is saved to Ans and to the history list.
- Use M+, M−, MR and MC to keep a running total, and click any history entry to reuse it.
Features
- Trig and inverse trig in degrees or radians
- Logs, powers, square and cube roots, factorials and percentages
- Full expressions with parentheses and implied multiplication
- Live preview, Ans, memory keys and a reusable history
- Full keyboard support: Enter, Esc, Backspace and operators
- Safe built-in parser; nothing you type is run as code
Typing expressions
You can tap the keys or type straight into the display. The calculator reads the whole expression and follows the standard order of operations, so you do not need to press = after every step.
| Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
+ − × ÷ or + - * / | Basic operations | 2+3*4 = 14 |
^ | Power | 2^10 = 1024 |
sqrt( ), cbrt( ), √, ∛ | Square and cube roots | sqrt(16) = 4 |
sin cos tan, asin acos atan | Trig and inverse trig | sin(30) = 0.5 in degrees |
log( ), ln( ) | Base-10 and natural logarithm | log(1000) = 3 |
! | Factorial | 5! = 120 |
% | Divide by 100 | 200×15% = 30 |
π or pi, e | Constants | 2π = 6.28318530718 |
E (EXP key) | Times ten to the power | 3E8 = 300000000 |
Ans | Previous answer | Ans/2 |
You can also type abs( ), exp( ) and the hyperbolic functions sinh, cosh and tanh with their inverses. Missing closing parentheses at the end are added for you, so sqrt(2 works.
Order of operations
Expressions are evaluated in this order: parentheses; functions, factorials and percentages; powers (right to left, so 2^3^2 = 2^9 = 512); a leading minus sign; multiplication and division from left to right; then addition and subtraction. Two rules often surprise people:
- −2^2 = −4. The power is applied before the minus sign, as in written algebra. Type (−2)^2 to get 4.
- Implied multiplication is ordinary multiplication. 2π and 3(4+1) work, with the same priority as ×, so 1/2π means (1/2) × π. Write 1/(2π) if that is what you mean.
Degrees and radians
Trig functions use the mode shown on the display. In DEG mode a full turn is 360; in RAD mode it is 2π. sin(30) is 0.5 in degrees but about −0.988 in radians, so check the mode when an answer looks wrong. Inverse functions return angles in the current mode: asin(1) gives 90 in degrees and about 1.5708 in radians. In degree mode, exact angles such as sin(180) and cos(90) return exactly 0, and tan(90) is reported as undefined instead of a huge number.
2nd functions, memory and history
- 2nd switches several keys to their inverse for one press: sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹, tan⁻¹, eˣ, 10ˣ, cube root and x³.
- M+ and M− add the current result to memory or subtract it, MR inserts the stored value and MC clears it. Memory survives a page reload in this browser.
- History keeps your last 30 calculations. Click one to load the expression again and edit it.
Keyboard shortcuts
Type numbers, operators and function names directly. Enter or = calculates, Esc clears and Backspace deletes. After a result, typing an operator continues from the answer, while typing a number starts a new calculation.
Precision
Calculations use double-precision floating point, which is accurate to about 15 to 16 significant digits, and results are shown to 12 significant digits. That hides tiny binary rounding errors, so 0.1 + 0.2 shows 0.3. Very large or very small results switch to E notation, such as 6.02214076E23, which you can paste back into the calculator. For exact answers with fractions, use the Fraction Calculator, and for averages and spread, the Statistics Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch between degrees and radians?
Use the DEG and RAD buttons above the display. The current mode is shown on the display, and it is remembered next time you visit.
Why does sin(30) not give 0.5?
The calculator is probably in radian mode, where sin(30) is about −0.988. Switch to DEG to work in degrees.
How do I calculate powers and roots?
Use ^ for any power (2^8), x² and x³ for squares and cubes, √ and ∛ for square and cube roots, and a fractional power for other roots, such as 32^(1/5) for the fifth root of 32.
What does the % key do?
It divides the number before it by 100, so 15% is 0.15 and 200×15% is 30. To add a percentage, multiply by 1 plus the rate, as in 200×1.15.
Are my calculations saved?
Your history, memory and angle mode are stored only in this browser’s local storage, so they survive a reload. Nothing is sent to a server, and Clear removes the history.