Power Calculators

sig Significant Figures Calculator

Calculate a six-significant-figure display using the same significant-figure formatting rule used by the current calculator engine.

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Enter details

Approximate 6 Significant Figures
12,345.7
Order of Magnitude
4

Also available in our Android app, with charts and full breakdown tables.

📘 About the Significant Figures

Significant figures are the meaningful digits in a numerical value.

The current website output formatter itself uses a six-significant-figure convention for the sig format, so this calculator mirrors that concept numerically.

🧮 Formula

Order of magnitude
n = floor(log10(|x|))
Six-significant-figure approximation
Rounded value ≈ round(x ÷ 10^(n−5)) × 10^(n−5)

Where

  • x = input number
  • n = floor(log10(|x|))
This calculator targets six significant figures and is intended for non-zero values.

✏️ Worked example

12345.6789

You enter
Number12345.6789
You get
Approximate 6 Significant Figures12,345.7
Order of Magnitude4

The calculator returns an approximate six-significant-figure representation.

Try this example →

🧭 How to use this calculator

What you enter

  • Number

What you get

  • Approximate 6 Significant Figures
  • Order of Magnitude

💡 Important note

  • The calculator is designed around six significant figures.
  • Zero does not have a meaningful order of magnitude under the logarithm-based formula.
  • For measurement reporting, the appropriate number of significant figures depends on the precision of the measurement or instrument.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What are significant figures?

They are digits that convey the meaningful precision of a measured or calculated value.

How many significant figures does this calculator use?

It targets six significant figures, matching the current sig output convention used by the calculator engine.