Round a decimal measurement to a chosen number of significant figures and display the precision explicitly in scientific notation.
Printed from Calxy · https://www.calxy.net/math/significant-figures-calculator
1 – 100
Rounded to 3 significant figures
4.56 × 10^-3
Trailing zeros in an integer without a decimal point have ambiguous measurement significance. This tool counts written non-leading digits, not implied instrument accuracy. Zero alone cannot determine a measurement’s significant-figure count.
Leading zeros do not locate significant digits; start counting at the first nonzero digit.
Round the retained significant place with decimal half-away-from-zero rounding.
Display scientific notation so retained trailing zeros are explicit.
Start at the first nonzero digit, retain the requested count and round the discarded part. Scientific notation makes retained trailing zeros unambiguous.
9.999 rounded to three significant figures is 1.00 × 10¹. The carry changes the exponent while the three retained digits remain explicit.
Without a decimal point or other precision statement, they can be ambiguous. This tool counts written non-leading digits and lets you specify the desired output precision.
Last updated . Results are estimates for informational purposes only.