How do you convert a number to scientific notation?

Move the decimal point until you have a number between 1 and 10, then multiply by 10 to the power of how many places you moved. For 0.000045: move decimal 5 places right → 4.5 × 10⁻⁵.

What is the difference between scientific and engineering notation?

Scientific notation has the exponent as any integer (4.5 × 10⁻⁵). Engineering notation restricts the exponent to multiples of 3 (45 × 10⁻⁶), which aligns with SI prefixes like micro (10⁻⁶), milli (10⁻³), kilo (10³).

What does "e" mean in calculator notation?

E-notation (4.5e-5) means 4.5 × 10⁻⁵. The "e" stands for "exponent" and is used in calculators and programming languages because superscript formatting is not always available.

ToolsArena

Search tools...

Scientific Notation Converter

Convert numbers to scientific notation, E-notation, and engineering notation. Bidirectional with adjustable significant figures.

Significant Figures:4

Standard Number

Enter a number above to convert

Format Guide

4.5e-5 — E-notation (machine format)

4.5 × 10^-5 — Human-readable scientific notation

45 × 10⁻⁶ — Engineering notation (exponent multiple of 3)

How to Use Scientific Notation Converter

1
Select "Standard to Scientific" tab and enter any decimal number (e.g. 0.000045 or 299792458).
2
Or select "Scientific to Standard" tab and enter scientific notation (e.g. 4.5e-5 or 4.5×10^-5).
3
Adjust significant figures (1–10) using the selector.
4
View results in all three formats: scientific, E-notation, and engineering notation.
5
Copy any result with the Copy button.

About Scientific Notation Converter

The Scientific Notation Converter converts numbers between standard decimal form and scientific notation (also called standard form). It supports scientific notation (4.5 × 10⁻⁵), E-notation (4.5e-5), and engineering notation (45 × 10⁻⁶), and allows you to set the number of significant figures.

Scientific vs Engineering Notation

Scientific notation uses a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10: 4.5 × 10⁻⁵. Engineering notation uses a coefficient between 1 and 1000 with the exponent always a multiple of 3: 45 × 10⁻⁶. Engineering notation aligns with SI prefixes (μ, m, k, M, G).

Use Cases

Scientific notation is used in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and engineering to express very large numbers (speed of light: 3 × 10⁸ m/s) or very small numbers (electron mass: 9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kg) compactly without long strings of zeros.