Scientific Notation Converter
Convert any number into scientific notation (a × 10ⁿ) and see its normalized coefficient, exponent and E-notation.
How it works
value = a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ |a| < 10 and n = ⌊log₁₀|value|⌋
Scientific notation writes a number as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten, which makes very large and very small numbers compact and easy to compare. The exponent is the number of places the decimal point moves: positive for numbers ten or larger, negative for numbers below one. E-notation (1.2345e4) is the same idea in a form calculators and code can read.
Worked example
12,345 becomes 1.2345 × 10⁴: the decimal point moves four places left to sit after the first digit, so the exponent is 4.
Sources: Scientific notation — Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a valid coefficient?
In normalized scientific notation the coefficient has one non-zero digit before the decimal point, so its absolute value is at least 1 but less than 10.
How do I read a negative exponent?
A negative exponent means the number is smaller than 1. 3 × 10⁻² is 0.03 — the decimal point moves two places left.
What is E-notation?
E-notation replaces "× 10^n" with the letter e, so 6.02 × 10²³ is written 6.02e23. It is the standard way to type scientific notation on computers and calculators.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.