Read Powers of Ten and E Notation
A scientific-notation number has a coefficient multiplied by a power of ten.
Separate coefficient and exponent
A scientific-notation number has a coefficient multiplied by a power of ten. In normalized form, a nonzero coefficient has an absolute value at least one and less than ten. The sign of the coefficient belongs to the value.
Read a positive exponent
6.2 × 10^4 means 6.2 multiplied by 10,000, which is 62,000. The E form is 6.2e4. E is notation for a decimal exponent here, not a hexadecimal digit or a variable.
Read a negative exponent
6.2e-4 is 0.00062. The negative exponent makes the magnitude smaller; it does not make the number negative. A negative value would need a negative coefficient, such as -6.2e-4.
Distinguish notation from precision
Writing a value in scientific notation does not make its measurement more accurate. This converter rounds its display to its stated precision. Retain the original data when exact digit preservation matters.
Put it into practice
Scientific Notation Converter
Convert ordinary numbers and E notation into a normalized scientific-notation display.
Numbers & textRounding Calculator
Round to decimal places or powers of ten, with explicit nearest, floor and ceiling rules.
Numbers & textNumber Base Converter
Convert signed whole numbers between binary, octal, decimal, hexadecimal and bases 2–36.
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