Exponent Calculator
Raise any number to any power, find a missing exponent or base, and see the steps. Works with negative, fractional and decimal exponents.
Example loaded: 2 to the power of 10. Change the numbers and select Calculate.
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Quick answer
An exponent tells you how many times to multiply a number by itself. In 210, the base is 2 and the exponent is 10, so 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 1,024. Type a base and an exponent above and the calculator does the rest, with steps.
You can also type fractions such as 1/2, decimals such as 0.5, and the constants e and pi. Switch the mode to find a missing exponent or a missing base.
Exponent rules
| Rule | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Product | am × an = am+n | 23 × 24 = 27 = 128 |
| Quotient | am ÷ an = am−n | 56 ÷ 54 = 52 = 25 |
| Power of a power | (am)n = amn | (32)3 = 36 = 729 |
| Zero exponent | a0 = 1 | 90 = 1 |
| Negative exponent | a−n = 1 ÷ an | 2−3 = 1/8 = 0.125 |
| Fractional exponent | a1/n = nth root of a | 271/3 = 3 |
| Product to a power | (ab)n = anbn | (2×3)2 = 4 × 9 = 36 |
How to calculate exponents
- Write the base and the exponent, for example 43.
- For a positive whole exponent, multiply the base by itself that many times: 4 × 4 × 4 = 64.
- For a negative exponent, work out the positive power first, then take 1 divided by it: 4−2 = 1 ÷ 16 = 0.0625.
- For a fractional exponent, the bottom number is the root and the top number is the power: 82/3 = (cube root of 8)2 = 22 = 4.
- For any other decimal exponent, use an = en × ln a. The calculator does this for you.
How to do exponents on a calculator
Most scientific calculators have a key marked ^, xy or yx. Enter the base, press that key, enter the exponent, then press equals. For squares and cubes, many calculators also have x² and x³ keys. This page does the same job without a keypad.
Worked examples
- 34 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81.
- (−2)5 = −32. An odd exponent keeps the negative sign.
- 10−3 = 1 ÷ 1,000 = 0.001.
- 163/4 = (fourth root of 16)3 = 23 = 8.
- Find the exponent: 2n = 1,024 gives n = ln(1024) ÷ ln(2) = 10.
- Find the base: a3 = 27 gives a = 271/3 = 3.
Select Load example above to try the first one in the calculator.
Powers table
| n | 2n | 3n | 4n | 5n | 10n |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 |
| 2 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 100 |
| 3 | 8 | 27 | 64 | 125 | 1000 |
| 4 | 16 | 81 | 256 | 625 | 10000 |
| 5 | 32 | 243 | 1024 | 3125 | 100000 |
| 6 | 64 | 729 | 4096 | 15625 | 1000000 |
| 7 | 128 | 2187 | 16384 | 78125 | 10000000 |
| 8 | 256 | 6561 | 65536 | 390625 | 100000000 |
| 9 | 512 | 19683 | 262144 | 1953125 | 1000000000 |
| 10 | 1024 | 59049 | 1048576 | 9765625 | 10000000000 |
Frequently asked questions
What is an exponent?
An exponent is the small raised number that says how many times to multiply the base by itself. In 53, the base is 5 and the exponent is 3, so the value is 5 × 5 × 5 = 125.
What does a negative exponent mean?
It means take the reciprocal. a−n = 1 ÷ an. For example 2−3 = 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125. A negative exponent does not make the answer negative.
How do I write an expression with a single positive exponent?
Use the rules to combine the terms, then flip any negative exponent into a fraction. For example 25 × 2−2 = 23. The calculator also shows the positive exponent form of a negative power.
What is a fractional exponent?
A fractional exponent is a root and a power together. am/n means take the nth root of a, then raise it to the power m. So 82/3 = 4.
What is any number to the power of zero?
Any non-zero number to the power 0 equals 1. This follows from the quotient rule: an ÷ an = a0 = 1.
What is 0 to the power of 0?
Most calculators and many textbooks define it as 1. In some areas of mathematics it is left undefined. The calculator shows 1 and notes this.
How do I use exponents on a calculator?
Enter the base, press the ^ key (also shown as xy), enter the exponent and press equals. On this page, type both numbers and select Calculate.
What happens with a negative base?
Use brackets. (−3)2 = 9, but −32 = −9, because the exponent applies only to the 3. A negative base with a fractional exponent can have a real answer (for example (−8)1/3 = −2) or only a complex one (for example (−4)1/2 = 2i).
How do I find a missing exponent?
Take logarithms. If an = r, then n = ln(r) ÷ ln(a). Choose the Exponent mode, enter the base and the result, and the calculator does it.
How large a number can it handle?
Whole-number powers are computed exactly when they are not too long, and larger values are shown in scientific notation. The limit is about 1.8 × 10308.
Is my data stored?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser, and nothing is sent anywhere.
About this calculator
Written by Umar Khan. The calculator uses exact whole-number arithmetic where possible and standard floating-point maths for fractional and decimal exponents. Your numbers stay in your browser. Last updated November 10, 2026. Questions or corrections: [email protected].
Written by Umar Khan
Umar Khan is a PhD student in engineering at NTNU, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Norway. Every formula and worked example on this page is shown in full so you can check each result yourself. Corrections are welcome at [email protected].
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For information only, not professional advice.
Written by Umar Khan. Last updated: November 10, 2026.