About Basic Calculator

Evaluate math expressions with +, -, *, /, parentheses, and functions. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the Calculators collection.

Use Cases

• Quick arithmetic during code reviews without leaving the browser
• Evaluating nested math expressions from API documentation
• Verifying formula outputs when debugging financial calculations
• Converting between number systems during hardware projects

Tips

• Use parentheses to control order of operations
• Chain multiple expressions separated by semicolons
• Try built-in functions like sqrt, pow, and abs

Fun Facts

• The equals sign (=) was invented by Welsh mathematician Robert Recorde in 1557 because he was tired of writing 'is equal to' repeatedly.
• The order of operations (PEMDAS) was standardized in the early 1900s, though mathematicians debated grouping rules for centuries before.
• The first electronic general-purpose calculator, ENIAC, weighed 30 tons and consumed 150 kilowatts of power in 1945.

FAQ

What functions are supported?

Arithmetic (+, -, *, /), parentheses, modulo (%), exponentiation (**), sqrt, sin/cos/tan, log, ln, abs. Plus constants pi and e.

Is it safe to paste untrusted expressions?

Yes — the calculator uses a dedicated math parser, not eval(). It can't execute arbitrary code — only math expressions.

Decimal or fraction results?

Decimal. For fractional math, use a symbolic calculator (WolframAlpha, SymPy). This tool focuses on quick numerical answers.

Order of operations?

Standard PEMDAS/BODMAS. Exponentiation is right-associative (2^3^2 = 2^9 = 512). Parentheses override everything.