Absolute Value Calculator
Find the absolute value of a number — its distance from zero — for any positive, negative or decimal input.
How it works
|n| = n if n ≥ 0, and |n| = −n if n < 0 (the distance of n from zero)
The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, which is never negative. Practically, it just strips the sign: |−7| and |7| are both 7. Because it measures distance, |a − b| is the gap between two values regardless of which is larger — a fact used constantly in error, tolerance and difference calculations.
Worked example
The absolute value of −7 is 7, because −7 is 7 units to the left of zero. Its opposite is +7, and both share the same absolute value — the sign tells you the direction, the absolute value tells you the size.
Sources: Absolute value — Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
Can an absolute value ever be negative?
No. Absolute value measures distance from zero, and distance is never negative. The only way to get 0 is if the number itself is 0.
What’s the absolute value used for?
It expresses size without direction: how far a measurement is off target, the magnitude of a change, or the gap between two numbers as |a − b|, which is the same whichever order you subtract.
Do |−5| and |5| give the same answer?
Yes, both are 5. Opposite numbers always share the same absolute value because they’re the same distance from zero, just on different sides.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.