Scientific Notation Calculator
Convert between standard form and scientific notation with two-way conversion and E-notation support.
E.g., 3 × 106 = 3,000,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is scientific notation?
Scientific notation is a way to express very large or very small numbers compactly. It has the form: coefficient × 10exponent, where the coefficient is between 1 and 10. For example, 3,000,000 = 3 × 106.
When should I use scientific notation?
Scientific notation is useful for very large numbers (like distances in astronomy) or very small numbers (like sizes in chemistry and physics). It makes calculations easier and comparisons clearer.
What is E-notation?
E-notation (exponential notation) is a compact way to write scientific notation used in calculators and computers. For example, 3 × 106 is written as 3E+6 or 3E6. Similarly, 2 × 10-4 = 2E-4.
How do I convert from standard to scientific notation?
Move the decimal point until you have one non-zero digit before it. Count how many places you moved the decimal: that's your exponent. Move right = negative exponent, move left = positive exponent.
What does a negative exponent mean?
A negative exponent means the number is less than 1. For example, 2 × 10-3 = 0.002. The negative exponent tells you the decimal point moves to the left.