This free basic calculator works like a desk calculator, but you can see and edit the whole calculation. Type it in or use the keypad. It handles brackets, percentages, powers, square roots and a few scientific functions, and shows the answer as a fraction when it can.
How to use the calculator
- Type a calculation such as
(12.5 + 7.5) × 3, or tap the keys, then press = or Calculate. - Use
^for powers:2^10= 1,024. - Use
sqrt(for square roots:sqrt(144)= 12. - Numbers next to brackets are multiplied:
2(3 + 4)= 14.
How percentages work
Like a pocket calculator, 200 + 15% adds 15% of 200, giving 230, and 80 − 25% gives 60. Anywhere else, % simply divides by 100, so 15% × 200 = 30.
Order of operations
Calculations follow the standard order: brackets first, then powers, then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction. So 2 + 3 × 4 = 14, not 20. Note that −2^2 = −4, because the power is worked out before the minus sign; write (−2)^2 to get 4.
Worked example
(12.5 + 7.5) × 3 − 10%: the bracket gives 20, times 3 is 60, and taking off 10% of 60 leaves 54.
Frequently asked questions
Does the calculator follow BODMAS / PEMDAS?
Yes. Brackets, then powers, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction.
How do I calculate a percentage of a number?
Multiply by the percentage: 15% × 80 gives 12. To add a percentage, type 80 + 15%, which gives 92.
Can I use it for scientific calculations?
It supports sin, cos, tan (in degrees or radians), logarithms, square and cube roots, factorials, pi and e. For more, see the scientific notation and exponent calculators.
Why do I get a fraction as well as a decimal?
When the answer is a simple fraction, such as 0.375, it also shows 3/8, which is handy for measurements and recipes.
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Last reviewed: October 2026. For information only; results are estimates; check important figures with a professional.