Scientific Notation Converter: Decimal ↔ a × 10ⁿ

How to use the scientific notation converter

N = a × 10ⁿ,  1 ≤ |a| < 10
Move the point left → positive n
Move the point right → negative n

Scientific notation keeps very large and very small numbers readable.

Each example below is generated by the same calculator you used above, so the working always matches the answer.

52000

Answer5.2 × 10⁴

Step-by-step working 3 steps

1
Standard form needs 1 ≤ |a| < 10
Write the number as a × 10ⁿ where a has exactly one non-zero digit before the point.
2
Move the decimal point
```
52000 → 5.2
```
The point moves 4 places left, so the exponent is +4.
3
Write the result
```
52000 = 5.2 × 10⁴
```

0.00047

Answer4.7 × 10⁻⁴

Step-by-step working 3 steps

1
Standard form needs 1 ≤ |a| < 10
Write the number as a × 10ⁿ where a has exactly one non-zero digit before the point.
2
Move the decimal point
```
0.00047 → 4.7
```
The point moves 4 places right, so the exponent is −4.
3
Write the result
```
0.00047 = 4.7 × 10⁻⁴
```

3.2e5

Answer3.2 × 10⁵

Step-by-step working 3 steps

1
Standard form needs 1 ≤ |a| < 10
Write the number as a × 10ⁿ where a has exactly one non-zero digit before the point.
2
Move the decimal point
```
320000 → 3.2
```
The point moves 5 places left, so the exponent is +5.
3
Write the result
```
320000 = 3.2 × 10⁵
```

6.022 x 10^23

Answer6.022 × 10²³

Step-by-step working 3 steps

1
Standard form needs 1 ≤ |a| < 10
Write the number as a × 10ⁿ where a has exactly one non-zero digit before the point.
2
Move the decimal point
```
602200000000000000000000 → 6.022
```
The point moves 23 places left, so the exponent is +23.

Write the result

602200000000000000000000 = 6.022 × 10²³

12 × 10³ is not standard form; it should be 1.2 × 10⁴.

Small numbers (below 1) have negative exponents.

Exponents add when multiplying, not when adding.

What does e mean in 3.2e5?

It stands for “times ten to the power of”, so 3.2e5 is 3.2 × 10⁵.

How precise is it?

Standard double precision, about 15 significant digits.