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Online Calculator - Free Basic Calculator

Quick answer: This online calculator handles everyday arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, plus percentages and memory functions. It follows the standard order of operations, doing multiplication and division before addition and subtraction, so chained expressions evaluate the way a handheld calculator would. Use parentheses to force your own grouping.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Key facts

  • Follows the standard order of operations: brackets first, then × and ÷, then + and −.
  • Use the on-screen keys or your physical keyboard — Enter gives the answer, Backspace deletes, Escape clears.
  • The % key turns the current entry into hundredths (15% → 0.15), handy for quick percent math.
  • Everything runs in your browser — no sign-up, and nothing you type is uploaded anywhere.

A basic calculator is the tool you reach for dozens of times a day: splitting bills, checking change, scaling a recipe. This free online calculator handles everyday arithmetic with an on-screen keypad plus full keyboard support, so it works like the calculator app on your phone on any device with a browser.

Type an expression such as (45 + 15) / 4 or 12.5 × 8 and press = (or Enter). Brackets let you group longer calculations, and the running expression stays visible above the answer so you can always check what you typed.

How to use

  1. Tap the number and operator keys, or just type on your keyboard.
  2. Use ( and ) to group parts of a longer calculation.
  3. Press = or Enter to see the answer; the expression stays visible for checking.
  4. Press Backspace to delete the last digit, or C / Escape to start over.

Order of operations (BODMAS / PEMDAS)

Brackets → × and ÷ → + and −
TermMeaning
Brackets ( )Calculate whatever is inside brackets first.
Multiply and divideDone next, working left to right.
Add and subtractDone last, working left to right.

Because of this order, 2 + 3 × 4 = 14, not 20. Use brackets to force your own order: (2 + 3) × 4 = 20.

Worked examples

Everyday arithmetic

12.5 × 8 = 100. Type 12.5*8 and press Enter. Decimals work everywhere a whole number does.

(45 + 15) ÷ 4 = 15. The brackets force the addition first — without them, 45 + 15 ÷ 4 would be 48.75.

Percent shortcut

15% of 200: type 200*15% and press =. The % key converts 15 to 0.15, giving 30.

2.5 × (10 − 4) = 15 — a typical recipe-scaling style calculation in one line.

Keyboard shortcuts

KeyDoes this
0–9 and .Enter digits and the decimal point
+ − * /Add, subtract, multiply, divide
Enter= — calculate the answer
BackspaceDelete the last digit
EscapeClear everything
( )Group part of a calculation
%Divide the current entry by 100

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my keyboard?

Yes. Digits, + − * / . ( ), Enter for equals, Backspace to delete and Escape to clear all work — exactly like a desk calculator.

Does it follow the order of operations?

Yes. Brackets first, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction — the standard BODMAS/PEMDAS order taught in schools.

How does the % key work?

It divides the current entry by 100, turning 15% into 0.15. So 200 × 15% gives 30 — a quick way to take a percentage of a number.

Is my calculation sent to a server?

No. Everything is computed locally in your browser with JavaScript, so it works offline once loaded and nothing you type leaves your device.

Why do I get 48.75 for 45 + 15 / 4?

That is the correct order of operations: division before addition (15 ÷ 4 = 3.75, plus 45). Add brackets — (45 + 15) / 4 — to get 15.

Sources

Key takeaways

  • Type expressions naturally with brackets; the calculator respects the standard order of operations.
  • Keyboard shortcuts (Enter, Backspace, Escape) make it as fast as a physical calculator.
  • Use the % key to turn any entry into hundredths for quick percentage math.

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