Scientific Calculator
Our free scientific calculator online gives you the functions you would find on a classroom calculator: sine, cosine and tangent, logarithms, exponents, roots and parentheses. It runs in your browser on mobile and desktop, so it is ready whenever a math, physics or engineering problem comes up.
What You Can Do With This Scientific Calculator
- Trigonometry: sin, cos and tan, plus their inverse functions where available.
- Logarithms: common log (base 10) and natural log (ln, base e).
- Powers and roots: squares, any exponent, square roots and other roots.
- Constants: π and e for geometry and growth problems.
- Parentheses: group parts of an expression so they are calculated in the right order.
How to Use the Scientific Calculator
Type an expression the way you would write it on paper. For a function such as sin or log, press the function key and then enter the value, closing the parenthesis if needed. Before working with angles, check whether the calculator is set to degrees (DEG) or radians (RAD), because the same input gives very different results in each mode.
For example, to evaluate 3 × (2 + 5)² you would enter 3 × ( 2 + 5 ) and then apply the square, giving 147. Using parentheses removes any doubt about which operation comes first.
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Degrees vs. Radians
Angles can be measured in degrees, where a full circle is 360°, or in radians, where a full circle is 2π. School geometry usually uses degrees, while calculus and many physics formulas use radians. A common mistake is calculating sin(30) in radian mode and getting about −0.988 instead of the expected 0.5. If an answer looks wrong, the angle mode is the first thing to check.
Log vs. Ln Explained
The log key normally calculates the base-10 logarithm, which answers the question "10 to what power gives this number?" So log(1000) = 3. The ln key calculates the natural logarithm, base e (about 2.71828), which appears in compound interest, population growth and radioactive decay. Both are useful, so make sure you choose the one your formula expects.
Who Uses an Online Scientific Calculator?
Students use it for algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus homework. Engineers and technicians use it for quick checks away from their main software. It is also helpful for anyone who needs to work with exponents or scientific notation, such as when converting units or estimating very large and very small values.
For everyday arithmetic, the basic online calculator is simpler, and for percentage problems the percentage calculator explains each type of question step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I switch between degrees and radians?
Look for the DEG/RAD toggle on the calculator and select the mode you need before entering trig functions. Use degrees for most geometry problems and radians for calculus or physics formulas. If a sine or cosine result looks unexpected, the angle mode is usually the reason.
How do I calculate sin, cos and tan online?
Choose the correct angle mode, press sin, cos or tan, enter the angle and close the parenthesis, then press equals. For example, in degree mode sin(30) returns 0.5 and tan(45) returns 1. Inverse functions, where available, return an angle from a ratio.
What is the difference between log and ln?
Log is the base-10 logarithm, so log(100) equals 2. Ln is the natural logarithm with base e, roughly 2.71828, so ln(e) equals 1. Base-10 logs are common in science scales, while natural logs appear in growth, decay and finance formulas.
How do I enter exponents and square roots?
Use the power key (often shown as xʸ or ^) to raise a number to any exponent, for example 2^10 = 1024. Use the square root key (√) for square roots. Some layouts also include x² and other root keys for faster entry of common operations.
Can I use parentheses for complex expressions?
Yes. Parentheses let you control the order of operations, so the grouped part is calculated first. For example, (4 + 6) × 3 equals 30, while 4 + 6 × 3 equals 22. Make sure every opening parenthesis has a matching closing one.