Engineering & Complex Number Calculator
Complex-number arithmetic with j-notation entry, REC/POL display, and SI-prefixed engineering notation, plus a scrollable calculation history.
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Calculator guide
How this engineering works
This calculator extends ordinary scientific arithmetic to complex numbers, using the electrical-engineering convention of a trailing j for the imaginary unit instead of i (since i is already used for current). Enter a complex number as 3+4j, or in polar form as magnitude∠angle — for example 5∠30 — and every operator (+, -, ×, ÷, ^) works on complex values exactly the way it works on ordinary real numbers, since a real number is just a complex number with a zero imaginary part.
A REC/POL toggle switches the result display between rectangular (a+bj) and polar (r∠θ) form, and the angle in polar results follows whichever DEG/RAD mode is currently set. An ENG toggle switches numeric display to engineering notation — the exponent is rounded to the nearest multiple of 3 and shown with its SI prefix (p, n, µ, m, k, M, G, T), the same convention used on multimeters and datasheets, instead of raw scientific notation.
Trigonometry, logarithms, and square root operate on real numbers only, exactly as in the Scientific calculator — applying one of them to a value with a non-zero imaginary part returns an error rather than a silently wrong answer, since general complex analytic functions are outside this calculator's scope. Every result is added to a scrollable History tab (stored in your browser only), so you can tap back into an earlier result instead of retyping it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does this calculator use j instead of i for imaginary numbers?
This follows the electrical-engineering convention: i is already used for electrical current, so j is used for the imaginary unit instead. 3+4j means the same thing mathematically as 3+4i.
What is the difference between rectangular and polar form?
Rectangular form (a+bj) describes a complex number by its real and imaginary components. Polar form (r∠θ) describes the same number by its distance from zero (magnitude) and its angle. The REC/POL button converts the displayed result between the two — the underlying value is identical either way.
What does the ENG button do?
It switches numbers to engineering notation, where the exponent is always a multiple of 3 and shown as an SI prefix — for example 2,500,000 becomes 2.5M and 0.0005 becomes 500µ — matching how values are usually written on multimeters, datasheets, and circuit diagrams.
Can I use sin, cos, log, or sqrt on a complex number?
No — those functions only accept real numbers here and return an error if given a value with a non-zero imaginary part. Full complex analytic functions (complex trig, complex logarithms, etc.) aren't supported.
Is my calculation history saved anywhere outside my browser?
No — history is stored only in your browser's local storage, the same as every other calculator on this site. Nothing is sent to a server, and clearing it (or your browser data) removes it for good.
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