Scientific Notation Converter

Convert numbers to scientific notation or parse a scientific notation string back into a plain number. Free and private, right in your browser.

Number → Scientific notation

Scientific notation → Number

Convert any number between standard decimal form and scientific (e-notation) form instantly. Paste in a huge value like 6020000000000000000000 or a tiny one like 0.0000000167 and get the clean a × 10^n form, or go the other way from 3.2e8 back to 320000000.

How to use it

  1. Enter a number in standard, decimal, or e-notation form
  2. Choose the direction or format you want to convert to
  3. Read off the converted result, copy it, or adjust significant figures

Frequently asked questions

How do I write a number like 0.00042 in scientific notation?
Type 0.00042 into the decimal field and it converts instantly to 4.2 × 10⁻⁴ (or 4.2e-4). Negative exponents are handled automatically for small numbers.
What's the difference between 4.2e-4 and 4.2 × 10⁻⁴?
They're the same value written two ways: e-notation (used in calculators and code) and scientific notation (used in math and science writing). The tool converts between both formats and standard decimal form.
Can I control how many significant figures are shown?
Yes, you can set the number of significant digits so the coefficient rounds cleanly instead of showing long trailing decimals.