Scientific Notation Converter

Convert a finite decimal number to scientific notation with a controlled number of displayed decimal places.

Convert a number to scientific notation

1.250e+6Standard decimal value: 1,250,000

How this tool works

Scientific notation expresses very large or small numbers as a coefficient multiplied by a power of ten. This converter lets users control displayed precision while also retaining the original decimal value for comparison.

A non-zero decimal is represented as a×10^n where the coefficient magnitude is at least one and below ten. The exponent counts decimal-place movement from the original number.

How to use it

  1. Enter any finite decimal number.
  2. Choose between zero and twelve displayed decimal places.
  3. Compare the exponential representation with the displayed standard decimal value.

Worked examples

Large number

Input
1,250,000 with 3 decimal places
Output
1.250e+6

Moving the decimal six positions left produces a coefficient of 1.250 and a power-of-ten exponent of positive six.

Small decimal

Input
0.00042 with 2 decimal places
Output
4.20e-4

Moving the decimal four positions right creates coefficient 4.20, so a negative-four exponent restores the original small value.

Limitations

  • Displayed digits are rounded to the selected precision.
  • Extremely large values remain limited by JavaScript floating-point range.