Everyday math
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide two numbers.
Enter your numbers to see the answer.
Basic calculator guide
A four-function calculator does one operation on two numbers: add, subtract, multiply, or divide. This tool takes the first number, the operation you pick from the selector, and the second number, then shows the result rounded to two decimal places (you can change the precision from the settings). It is meant for the moments when you want a clean answer without a full keypad: checking a receipt line, splitting a quantity, or confirming a mental estimate. Because there is only one operation per calculation, there is no operator-precedence question to worry about; if you need parentheses, powers, or a longer expression, the advanced calculator handles those. Division by zero shows a dash rather than an error, and negative numbers are accepted in either field. Everything runs in your browser, so results appear as you type.
Result = first number (+, −, ×, or ÷) second number. Division by zero returns no result.
Worked example with the defaults: first number 12, operation Add, second number 8. The tool computes 12 + 8 = 20 and displays 20. Switching the selector changes only the operator: Subtract gives 12 − 8 = 4, Multiply gives 12 × 8 = 96, and Divide gives 12 ÷ 8 = 1.5. If the second number were 0 with Divide selected, the result area would show a dash and the caption “Cannot divide by zero” instead of a number.
Both fields are plain numbers with no unit attached, so you can treat them as dollars, kilograms, or counts as long as both are in the same unit. Decimals use a period. Results display with up to two decimal places by default; 12 ÷ 7 shows 1.71 even though the true value continues forever. Use the precision setting for more places.
The result follows directly from the numbers you entered, so its accuracy is the accuracy of those inputs. The most common source of a surprising answer is a mismatch between the question you meant to ask and the one the calculator answered, so re-read the field labels if the figure looks wrong. The formula is shown above so you can check the arithmetic yourself. On this page the figure rests entirely on first number, operation and second number, so start there if the basic calculator returns something you did not expect.
Good to know: the operation selector sits between the two numbers and defaults to Add, so a subtraction typed from memory may come out as a sum. Order matters for subtraction and division: 8 − 12 is −4, not 4. A result that looks slightly off in the last digit is usually two-decimal rounding, not a wrong calculation; raise the precision to confirm.
Results are planning estimates. Check the units, product coverage, carrier rules, or local rates before making a purchase or financial decision.
How it works
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide two numbers. This tool explains the calculation so you can adjust the assumptions to match your situation.
Worked example
With First number = 12 · Operation = add · Second number = 8 → 20 (basic arithmetic result). Change an input above and this example updates with your numbers.
Common questions
12 + 8 = 20. Enter 12 as the first number, leave the operation on Add, and enter 8 as the second number. The same two numbers give 4 when subtracted, 96 when multiplied, and 1.5 when divided.
A dash appears when the second number is 0 with Divide selected, because division by zero has no defined value. Change the divisor to any non-zero number and the result returns.
Two by default. 12 ÷ 8 shows 1.5 exactly, while 12 ÷ 7 shows 1.71. The site precision setting lets you display from 0 to 6 decimal places when a rounded answer is not enough.
It never needs to, because each calculation applies exactly one operation to two numbers. For expressions such as 3 + 4 × 2, where multiplication must happen first, use the advanced calculator, which applies standard precedence.
Yes. Type a minus sign before either number. For example, −12 add 8 gives −4, and −12 multiply −8 gives 96, following the usual sign rules. Dividing a negative by a positive, such as −12 ÷ 8, gives −1.5.