The Calculator app on Mac looks simple at first, but it includes scientific functions, programmer tools, unit conversion, currency conversion, history, keyboard entry, and result copying.
Calculator is built into macOS.
Does This Affect You?
Use these steps if you need more than addition and subtraction, such as trigonometry, logarithms, binary or hexadecimal math, unit conversion, or checking recent calculations.
Switch Calculator Modes
- Open Calculator with Spotlight or from Applications.
- Open the View menu.
- Choose Basic for everyday math, or press Command + 1.
- Choose Scientific for functions such as sine, cosine, logs, and exponents, or press Command + 2.
- Choose Programmer for binary, hexadecimal, and bitwise operations, or press Command + 3.
Convert Units or Currency
- Enter the number you want to convert.
- Open the Convert menu.
- Choose a category such as Length, Weight, Temperature, or Currency.
- Pick the original unit and the target unit.
- Read the converted value in the Calculator display.
- For Currency, use Convert > Update Exchange Rates if rates look old.
Calculator Extras
Show Paper Tape or History
Use View > Show Paper Tape, or Show History in newer versions, to see calculations from the current session and reuse earlier results.
Use the Keyboard
You can type numbers and operators directly: plus, minus, asterisk, slash, Return, and equals all work without clicking calculator buttons.
RPN Mode
Reverse Polish Notation is available from the View menu for users who prefer entering numbers before operators. Most users can leave it off.
Copy the Result
After a calculation, press Command + C to copy the displayed result and paste it into another app with Command + V.
Sources
- Apple Support: Calculator User Guide for Mac