Exponent / Power Calculator — Calculate xy Instantly

Type a Base and an Exponent. Private by design—everything runs locally in your browser.

Looks like xy — for example, 2 and 5 mean \(2^5\).

Settings

Tip: Try negatives like y = -3 (that means reciprocal).

Result

Results will appear here.

What does xy mean?

Exponents are a compact way to describe repeated multiplication, and this calculator makes them easy to work with. If you have ever wondered how to compute powers like 210, interpret negative exponents, or understand why x0 equals 1, you are in the right place. The tool lets you enter any base and exponent and instantly see the result, with optional scientific notation for very large or very small numbers.

The expression xy is read “x to the power of y.” It means multiply the base x by itself y times. For example, 34 means 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81. Some rules make exponents easier to remember: for any nonzero x, x0 = 1. A negative exponent flips the result into a reciprocal, so x−3 = 1 / x3. Fractional exponents connect to roots, like x1/2 = √x and x3/2 = √(x3).

This calculator also handles the tricky cases for you. The expression 00 is labeled undefined, and a negative base with a non-integer exponent may not have a real-number result. When that happens, the tool warns you so you can adjust inputs or interpret the answer correctly. For small whole-number exponents, the calculator can show the multiplication expansion so you can see the pattern step by step.

How to use the exponent calculator

  1. Enter a base value (the number being raised to a power).
  2. Enter the exponent (the power).
  3. Choose standard or scientific notation if you want a formatted output.
  4. Click calculate to see the result and any helpful notes or warnings.

Exponents show up everywhere: area and volume formulas (s2, s3), scientific notation (10n), compound growth in finance, and scale changes in science and engineering. A student might use this to check homework, a researcher might compute powers in scientific notation, and a finance learner might explore how repeated growth quickly accelerates. Try a few examples like 25, 10−3, or 1.54 to see how the exponent affects the outcome.

5 Fun Facts about Exponents

00 is the awkward cousin

Some contexts set \(0^0=1\) (empty product), others call it undefined. This tool avoids declaring a value to keep things honest.

Edge case

Negative exponent = reciprocal

Every time you drop the exponent by 1, you divide by the base. That’s why \(x^{-3} = 1/x^3\) — three divides in a row.

Invert & divide

Fractional exponents hide roots

\(x^{1/2}\) is \(\sqrt{x}\); \(x^{3/2}\) is \(\sqrt{x^3}\). Rational exponents let you write roots without the radical symbol.

Roots in disguise

Logarithms undo exponents

\(\log_b(x)\) answers “what power of b gives x?” That’s why logs turn multiplication into addition in slide rules.

Inverse move

Growth doubles fast

For \(2^n\), each +1 in the exponent doubles the result. 10 doublings turn 1 into 1,024—exponential curves ramp quickly.

Runaway scale

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