Online Calculator
Real-time math with precedence, keyboard support, and history.
Why 2 + 3 × 4 is 14, not 20
This is the single most common source of disagreement between two calculators, and neither of them is broken. They are answering different questions.
A basic calculator — the one built into most phones, and every
supermarket desk calculator — evaluates as you press keys. Type 2 + 3
and it already holds 5; press × 4 and it multiplies that 5, giving
20.
This calculator reads the whole expression and applies the standard order of operations, the same rule used in mathematics, spreadsheets and every programming language. Multiplication binds tighter than addition, so it computes 3 × 4 first and returns 14.
When the order matters and is not obvious, work it out in stages: press =
to settle the inner part, then continue with the result.
Using the percentage key properly
The % key is a postfix operator: it turns the number in front of it into a
hundredth of itself. 50 % becomes 0.5. Once you know that,
every percentage job becomes ordinary arithmetic:
| You want | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 18% of 2,500 | 2500 × 18 % | 450 |
| A 12% tip on 850 | 850 × 12 % | 102 |
| 850 plus a 12% tip | 850 × 1.12 | 952 |
| A 15% increase on 2,400 | 2400 × 1.15 | 2,760 |
| A 15% discount on 2,400 | 2400 × 0.85 | 2,040 |
| Add 18% GST to 1,000 | 1000 × 1.18 | 1,180 |
The pattern for any increase is × 1.rate and for any decrease × 0.(100 − rate). It is worth memorising — it removes almost all percentage mistakes.
Keyboard shortcuts
Typing is considerably faster than clicking. Every button has a key.
| Key | Does |
|---|---|
| 0–9, . | Enter a number |
| + - * / | Add, subtract, multiply, divide |
| % | Percentage of the number just entered |
| Enter or = | Evaluate and save to history |
| Backspace | Delete the last character |
| Esc | Clear everything |
A note on precision
Enter 0.1 + 0.2 in almost any calculator, spreadsheet or programming
language and the exact answer is 0.30000000000000004, not 0.3. That is not
a bug in any of them.
Computers store numbers in binary, and 0.1 has no exact binary representation — in the same way that one third has no exact decimal representation, however many 3s you write. The stored value is very slightly off, and the error surfaces when you add two of them.
This calculator uses the same double-precision arithmetic as everything else, accurate to about fifteen significant digits, and rounds for display so you rarely meet the issue. It matters in one practical situation: never compare two computed decimals for exact equality in a spreadsheet or a script. Compare whether the difference is small instead.
Division by zero is reported as an error rather than shown as infinity, because there is no correct value to display.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator follow order of operations?
Yes. It evaluates the whole expression using standard precedence rather than left to right, so 2 + 3 x 4 gives 14, not 20. Multiplication and division are applied before addition and subtraction, so the whole expression is resolved the way it would be on paper.
Why does my phone calculator give a different answer?
Most basic calculators evaluate strictly left to right as you press keys, so they return 20 for 2 + 3 x 4. Scientific and expression calculators, including this one, apply precedence and return 14. Both are working correctly — they are answering different questions.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes, and it is much faster. Type digits and operators directly, press Enter or = to evaluate, Escape to clear, and Backspace to delete the last character. Every on-screen button has a keyboard equivalent.
How does the percentage key work?
The % key converts the number before it into a fraction of a hundred, so 50 % becomes 0.5. That means 200 x 50 % gives 100, which is the common use — taking a percentage of a value.
Does it keep a history of my calculations?
Yes. Each result you confirm with = is added to the history panel, and you can copy any earlier result or clear the whole list. Nothing is uploaded — the history exists only in the page you have open.
Is my calculation history saved when I close the tab?
No. The history is held in memory for the current session only, so refreshing or closing the tab clears it. Copy anything you need to keep before you leave the page.
What happens if I divide by zero?
The calculator reports an error rather than showing Infinity or a misleading number. Division by zero is undefined in ordinary arithmetic, so there is no correct value to display.
How precise are the results?
It uses the same double-precision floating point every browser and spreadsheet uses, which is accurate to roughly fifteen significant digits. That is far beyond everyday needs, but it means a few decimal fractions cannot be represented exactly — see the next answer.
Why does 0.1 + 0.2 not give exactly 0.3?
Because binary floating point cannot represent 0.1 or 0.2 exactly, in the same way decimal cannot write one third exactly. The true sum is 0.30000000000000004. Every mainstream calculator and programming language has this property; results are rounded for display so you rarely see it.
Can I use brackets?
This calculator has no bracket keys — it applies standard precedence to a single expression instead. When you need a different order, evaluate the inner part first with =, then carry on with the result. So for (2 + 3) x 4, enter 2 + 3 =, then x 4 =.
How do I calculate a percentage increase?
Multiply by one plus the increase as a decimal. A 15% increase on 2,400 is 2400 x 1.15 = 2,760. For a decrease, subtract instead: a 15% discount is 2400 x 0.85 = 2,040.
How do I work out a tip or a discount?
For a 12% tip on 850, either compute 850 x 12 % to get the tip alone, or 850 x 1.12 for the total including it. Discounts work the same way with subtraction.
Can I copy a result?
Yes. Use the copy button beside the display to copy the current result, or copy any earlier line from the history. It goes to your normal clipboard, so it pastes anywhere.
Does the calculator work offline?
Yes, once the page has loaded. Everything runs in your browser with no server involved, so it keeps working if your connection drops.
Is this calculator free?
Completely. There is no sign-up, no download and no limit on how much you use it.
Do you see what I type into the calculator?
No. The arithmetic happens in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to us. That is also why the history lives in the open page rather than in an account.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The keypad scales to the screen and the buttons stay large enough to tap accurately, and the history panel moves below the keypad on narrow screens.
Which calculator should I use for loans, tax or percentages?
This one handles general arithmetic. For a specific job, ToolAdda has dedicated tools that show the working — a percentage calculator, EMI and home loan calculators with full amortisation schedules, a GST calculator and an income tax calculator. They are linked below.
Calculators that show their working
This one handles everyday arithmetic. When a job has its own rules, a dedicated tool explains the result instead of just producing a number: