Scientific Notation Calculator
Convert numbers to and from scientific notation, with full arithmetic.
Last updated: August 2026
Scientific notation
1.23 × 10⁻⁴
Coefficient
1.23
Exponent
-4
Expanded
0.000123
Scientific notation is used for very large or very small numbers — e.g. 6.022 × 10²³.
How it works
value = coefficient × 10^exponent, with 1 ≤ |coefficient| < 10.
Example: 0.000123 → 1.23 × 10⁻⁴.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is scientific notation?
Scientific notation writes a number as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. For example 1,230,000 = 1.23 × 10⁶.
Why is scientific notation used?
It makes very large and very small numbers readable — like the speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s) or the charge of an electron (1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C).
How do I convert scientific notation back to a normal number?
Move the decimal point by the exponent — right for positive, left for negative. 1.23 × 10⁻⁴ = 0.000123.
How do I multiply numbers in scientific notation?
Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents. (2 × 10³) × (3 × 10⁴) = 6 × 10⁷, adjusting the coefficient only if it exceeds 10.