Scientific Notation Converter
Convert numbers between standard decimal form and scientific notation
(a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ |a| < 10). Enter a decimal number or an expression
like 4.5e6 to see the equivalent scientific notation, the
coefficient and the exponent.
Enter a number
Enter a number and press Convert.
What scientific notation is
Scientific notation writes a number as a product of a coefficient between 1 and 10 and a power of 10:
a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ |a| < 10
For example, 0.000000032 can be written as 3.2 × 10⁻⁸, and
384,000,000 can be written as 3.84 × 10⁸. Scientific notation
makes very large and very small numbers easier to compare and compute with.
Rules for the coefficient
- The coefficient must have exactly one non-zero digit to the left of the decimal point.
- Numbers ≥ 10 have a positive exponent; numbers between 0 and 1 have a negative exponent.
- The sign of the number is carried by the coefficient (positive or negative).
Engineering notation
Engineering notation is a variant where the exponent is always a multiple of 3 (matching SI prefixes like kilo, mega, milli, micro). This converter outputs standard scientific notation; engineering notation can be derived by shifting the decimal point in the coefficient.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Large number
Convert 45,000 to scientific notation.
Move the decimal point 4 places left: 4.5 × 10⁴.
45,000 = 4.5 × 10⁴
Example 2 — Small number
Convert 0.00079 to scientific notation.
Move the decimal point 4 places right: 7.9 × 10⁻⁴.
0.00079 = 7.9 × 10⁻⁴
Example 3 — Negative coefficient
Convert −1234 to scientific notation.
The sign stays with the coefficient: −1.234 × 10³.
−1234 = −1.234 × 10³
Example 4 — Exponential form input
Convert 6.022e23 to scientific notation.
The value is already in scientific notation: 6.022 × 10²³.
6.022e23 = 6.022 × 10²³
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Frequently asked questions
Standard scientific notation requires exactly one non-zero digit before the decimal point, so the coefficient is always in [1, 10). This makes the representation unique — every number has exactly one scientific notation form.
Move the decimal point in the coefficient by the exponent: positive exponent → move right, negative exponent → move left. For example, 3.2 × 10⁻⁸ = 0.000000032 and 4.5 × 10⁴ = 45,000.
Engineering notation constrains the exponent to a multiple of 3, matching SI prefixes (kilo = 10³, mega = 10⁶, milli = 10⁻³). Scientific notation allows any integer exponent. Both are valid; engineering notation is more convenient when working with measurements.