Exponent Calculator
Raise any base to any power — including negative and fractional exponents.
How to use this calculator
Enter the base — the number being multiplied — and the exponent, which is the power you are raising it to, then press Calculate. The tool returns the result and a short explanation of what the power means. It accepts whole, negative and decimal exponents, so it covers everyday powers like squares and cubes, reciprocals from negative exponents, and roots written as fractional powers. Very large or very small results are shown in a readable form.
The formula explained
An exponent is repeated multiplication of the base:
bⁿ = b × b × … × b (n times)
For a whole number exponent you simply multiply the base by itself that many times. A negative exponent flips the result into a reciprocal: b⁻ⁿ equals 1 ÷ bⁿ. A fractional exponent is a root: b^(1/2) is the square root of b, and b^(1/3) is the cube root. These rules all come from the single idea that multiplying powers adds their exponents, which is what makes the notation so compact.
A worked example
For 2 to the power 10: multiply 2 by itself ten times to get 1024. With a negative exponent, 2⁻² = 1 ÷ 2² = 1 ÷ 4 = 0.25. With a fractional exponent, 9^(1/2) = 3, the square root of 9. The calculator handles each of these from the same two boxes.
Frequently asked questions
What is an exponent?
It tells you how many times to multiply the base by itself — 2³ is 2 × 2 × 2.
What does a negative exponent mean?
One divided by the base raised to the positive power, so 2⁻² is one quarter.
What is a fractional exponent?
A root — raising to the power ½ is the same as a square root.