Scientific Calculator guide
Scientific Calculator: How to Use It, with Examples
Use our free online scientific calculator for powers, roots, trigonometry, logarithms and factorials. Use the keypad or your keyboard, with memory, history, fractions and every key explained.
By the AllCalculator editorial teamUpdated 15 October 20264 min read
A scientific calculator goes beyond adding and multiplying. It handles powers, square roots, trigonometry, logarithms and more, which is what you need for GCSE and A-level maths, science, engineering and plenty of everyday sums. Our Scientific Calculator works in your browser like a real calculator, with a full keypad, Deg and Rad modes, memory, history and fraction, scientific and engineering display formats.
How to use the calculator (Scientific Calculator)
- Press the keys on the keypad, or type on your keyboard. Your calculation builds up in the display, with a live preview of the answer.
- Press = (or Enter) to work it out. The answer becomes Ans, so pressing an operator next carries on from it.
- Use DEL (or Backspace) to delete the last entry and AC (or Esc) to clear everything.
Every key explained
| Key | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Deg / Rad | Angle unit for trigonometry | sin(30) = 0.5 in degrees |
| Inv | Swaps keys to their inverse: sin⁻¹, eˣ, 10ˣ, x², x³, ʸ√x, logₐ | sin⁻¹(0.5) = 30 |
| hyp | Hyperbolic functions: sinh, cosh, tanh | sinh(1) = 1.1752 |
| sin, cos, tan | Trigonometry | tan(45) = 1 |
| ln, log | Natural log and log base 10 | log(1000) = 3 |
| √, ∛ | Square and cube roots | ∛(27) = 3 |
| xʸ | Powers | 2^10 = 1,024 |
| x⁻¹ | Reciprocal (1 ÷ x) | 4⁻¹ = 0.25 |
| x! | Factorial | 5! = 120 |
| abs | Absolute value (distance from zero) | abs(−7) = 7 |
| nPr, nCr | Permutations and combinations | nCr(10, 3) = 120 |
| π, e | Constants | 2π = 6.2832 |
| EXP | Times 10 to the power | 3×10^8 |
| % | Percent | 15% × 80 = 12 |
| (−) | Negative sign | (−)5 × 2 = −10 |
| Ans | Your previous answer | Ans × 2 |
| Ran# | A random number from 0 to 0.999 | 0.374 |
| mod | Remainder after division | mod(17, 5) = 2 |
| MC, MR, M+, M− | Memory clear, recall, add and subtract | M+ adds the answer to memory |
Functions that need two values, such as nPr, nCr, ʸ√x and logₐ, use a comma: root(27, 3) is the cube root of 27, and logb(8, 2) is log base 2 of 8.
Display formats
Like a Casio or Sharp calculator, you can change how answers are shown:
- Norm: a normal decimal answer, switching to powers of ten for very large or tiny numbers.
- Sci: scientific notation, for example 1.23×10^5.
- Eng: engineering notation, where the power of ten is a multiple of 3, which matches units like kilo, mega and milli.
- Frac: a fraction where there's an exact one, for example 0.375 shows as 3/8.
Under the answer you'll also see the fraction, the angle in degrees, minutes and seconds, and whole numbers in hexadecimal, binary and octal.
History
Every calculation you finish with = is saved in your history, in your browser only. Tap an earlier calculation to load it again.
Order of operations (BIDMAS)
The calculator follows the same rules you learn at school:
- Brackets
- Indices (powers and roots)
- Division and Multiplication, left to right
- Addition and Subtraction, left to right
So 2 + 3 × 4 is 14, not 20. If you want the addition first, use brackets: (2 + 3) × 4 = 20.
Two things often catch people out:
- −2^2 is −4. The power is worked out before the minus sign. Type (−2)^2 to get 4.
- 2^3^2 is 512. Powers are worked out from the right, so it's 2^9.
A worked example
With the calculator's default settings, the calculation is 2 × (3 + 4)^2 − sqrt(16):
- Brackets: 3 + 4 = 7
- Power: 7^2 = 49
- Multiply: 2 × 49 = 98
- Square root: sqrt(16) = 4
- Subtract: 98 − 4 = 94
Degrees or radians?
Most school trigonometry uses degrees, where a full turn is 360°. Radians are used in higher maths and physics, where a full turn is 2π. Make sure the setting matches your question: sin(30) is 0.5 in degrees but about −0.99 in radians.
Other maths calculators
For equations, try our Algebra Math Calculator, which solves linear, quadratic and simultaneous equations step by step. For percentages, use our Percentage Calculator or Calculator to Find Percentage, and for areas, our Square Meter Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is this scientific calculator free?
Yes. It's free to use, with no download or sign-up, and it works on phones, tablets and computers.
Can I use it in an exam?
No. Exams need an approved physical calculator. But it's ideal for homework, revision and checking your working.
Why does tan(90) give an error?
The tangent of 90° is undefined, because it would mean dividing by zero. The calculator tells you rather than showing a huge number.
How do I type a square root?
Type sqrt followed by the number in brackets, for example sqrt(2). You can also use the √ symbol.
Keep the Scientific Calculator bookmarked for quick sums, homework and anything that needs more than the basics.
Sources and further reading
Links open official and independent websites in a new tab.
This guide is general information to help you understand your options. It isn't financial, tax, legal or building advice and doesn't take your personal circumstances into account. Figures were checked when the guide was last updated and can change, so confirm anything important with GOV.UK, HMRC, a regulated adviser or a qualified tradesperson.