This converter rewrites a finite decimal in scientific notation and engineering notation with a chosen number of significant figures.
Math
Scientific Notation Converter
Write finite numbers in scientific and engineering notation.
Calculator
About this calculator
Formula notes
Scientific form is coefficient x 10^exponent with the coefficient between 1 and 10; engineering form uses exponents that are multiples of 3.
Worked examples
- Example: 12,345 with 3 significant figures is 1.23 x 10^4 in scientific form and 12.3 x 10^3 in engineering form.
- 0.000456 with 2 significant figures becomes 4.6 x 10^-4 in scientific notation and 0.46 x 10^-3 in engineering notation.
How to use it
- Enter any finite decimal number.
- Set significant figures from 1 to 15.
- Read scientific notation, engineering notation, and the rounded decimal.
Frequently asked questions
How is zero represented?
Zero returns coefficient 0 and exponent 0 in both notation forms.
Why does 999.9 become 1 x 10^3 with 3 figures?
Rounding carry moves the coefficient to the next power of ten while preserving the requested significant figures.
Limits and interpretation
- Results depend on the requested significant figures; trailing zeros and rounding policy change the displayed form.
- Very large and very small values rely on JavaScript double-precision limits and may round at the extremes.