Scientific Notation Converter

Convert between decimal numbers and scientific notation with precision. Perfect for scientists, engineers, students, and researchers working with very large or very small numbers.

Bidirectional Conversion
E Notation Support
Instant Results
High Precision

Scientific Notation Converter

Convert between decimal numbers and scientific notation format

12345671.234567 × 10⁶
0.000454.5 × 10⁻⁴
2997924582.99792458 × 10⁸
0.00000000011 × 10⁻¹⁰

What is Scientific Notation?

Scientific notation is a method of expressing numbers that are either very large or very small in a compact, standardized format. It uses the form a × 10ⁿ, where 'a' is a number between 1 and 10, and 'n' is an integer exponent.

Large Numbers

299,792,458 = 2.99792458 × 10⁸

Speed of light in m/s

Small Numbers

0.0000000001 = 1 × 10⁻¹⁰

One ten-billionth

Regular Numbers

1,500 = 1.5 × 10³

Fifteen hundred

How to Use the Converter

Converting TO Scientific Notation

  1. 1. Enter any decimal number (e.g., 1234567)
  2. 2. The tool automatically converts to scientific notation
  3. 3. View the mantissa and exponent components
  4. 4. Copy the result for your use

Converting FROM Scientific Notation

  1. 1. Click the toggle to switch modes
  2. 2. Enter scientific notation (1.23e5, 1.23×10⁵)
  3. 3. Get the decimal equivalent instantly
  4. 4. Multiple input formats supported

Real-World Examples

Physics

Speed of Light:
2.99792458 × 10⁸ m/s
Planck's Constant:
6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s

Chemistry

Avogadro's Number:
6.02214076 × 10²³
Atom Size:
1 × 10⁻¹⁰ meters

Technology

CPU Speed:
3 × 10⁹ Hz (3 GHz)
Transistor Size:
7 × 10⁻⁹ meters

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between scientific notation and E notation?

Scientific notation uses × (1.23 × 10⁵) while E notation uses E (1.23e5). Both represent the same value, but E notation is easier to type on computers.

When should I use scientific notation?

Use scientific notation for very large (>1,000,000) or very small (<0.001) numbers. It's essential in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and engineering.

Can I convert negative numbers?

Yes! Negative numbers work the same way. For example, -1,234,567 becomes -1.234567 × 10⁶.

Understanding the Mathematics

Converting Large Numbers:

  1. Move decimal point to create a number between 1 and 10
  2. Count places moved (becomes positive exponent)
  3. Write as a × 10ⁿ format

Converting Small Numbers:

  1. Move decimal point to create a number between 1 and 10
  2. Count places moved (becomes negative exponent)
  3. Write as a × 10⁻ⁿ format

Example: Converting 0.00045 → Move decimal 4 places right to get 4.5 → Result: 4.5 × 10⁻⁴