What is the difference between AC, C and ⌫?

AC clears everything. ⌫ removes the last key you pressed. On some calculators C or CE clears only the number you are typing.

Does a basic calculator follow the order of operations?

This one does: × and ÷ come before + and −. Some simple calculators work left to right instead, so use brackets when it matters.

How do I work out a percent?

Multiply by the percent, then divide by 100. For 15% of 80, press 80 × 15 ÷ 100 =. That works on every calculator.

Any brand

How to use a basic calculator

A basic calculator has the four operations, a percent key and a few clear keys. It's the one on your phone and in most desk drawers.

This page has a working keypad, a guide to every key, and short lessons on fixing mistakes and getting the order of operations right.

Lessons: learn the Basic calculator step by step

0 of 2 done

Fix a typo without starting overUse ⌫ to undo one wrong key, and AC to clear everything.
Step by step
1. 125+48
  Say you meant to add 125 and 49, but typed 48 by mistake.
  Display: 125+48
2. ⌫
  Press ⌫ (backspace) once. It removes only the last key you pressed, the 8.
  Display: 125+4
3. 9
  Type the right digit, 9.
  Display: 125+49
4. =
  Press = for the answer.
  Display: 174
5. AC
  Press AC (all clear) when you're done. It wipes the whole line so the next problem starts fresh.
  Display: 0
Tips
- ⌫ removes one key at a time. AC clears the whole line, so use it only to start over.
- On some calculators the backspace key is labelled DEL, ← or C. A key labelled CE clears only the number you're typing.
Use it on a real problem: Percentage Calculator · Discount Calculator
Use brackets to set the orderGet the answer you mean when a problem has more than one operation.
Step by step
1. 12+8×3
  Type 12 + 8 × 3 with no brackets.
  Display: 12+8×3
2. =
  Press =. The calculator multiplies first, so this is 12 + 24.
  Display: 36
3. AC
  Press AC to start again.
  Display: 0
4. (12+8)
  This time put the addition in brackets, so it's done first.
  Display: (12+8)
5. ×3=
  Multiply by 3 and press =. Now it's 20 × 3.
  Display: 60
Tips
- Without brackets, × and ÷ always happen before + and −. So 45 + 15 ÷ 3 gives 50, not 20.
- Every ( needs a matching ). If the answer looks wrong, count the brackets.
Use it on a real problem: Scientific Calculator · Average Calculator

Basic

Display: 0

It works! Press the keys to calculate. Hover over or tab to a key to see what it does.

What every key on the Basic calculator does

The everyday four-function calculator, including the one on your phone.

What every key does (12)

Keypad

AC: All clear: wipes the current entry and starts a fresh calculation.
⌫: Deletes the last thing you typed, one character at a time.
%: Percent: 15% means 0.15, so 80 × 15% = 12. Right after + or −, it takes that percent of the number before it: 50 + 10% = 55.
÷: Divide.
0–9: The number keys. Type numbers the way you write them.
×: Multiply.
−: Subtract.
+: Add.
(: Opens a bracket. Whatever is inside the brackets is worked out first.
.: The decimal point, for numbers like 2.5.
): Closes the bracket you opened.
=: Works out the answer, following the order of operations (brackets, powers, × and ÷, then + and −).

Solve real problems on the Basic calculator

Each calculator page shows the exact keys for its problem on this keypad.

Common questions about the Basic calculator

What is the difference between AC, C and ⌫?: AC clears everything. ⌫ removes the last key you pressed. On some calculators C or CE clears only the number you are typing.
Does a basic calculator follow the order of operations?: This one does: × and ÷ come before + and −. Some simple calculators work left to right instead, so use brackets when it matters.
How do I work out a percent?: Multiply by the percent, then divide by 100. For 15% of 80, press 80 × 15 ÷ 100 =. That works on every calculator.

The keypad is Calcapedia's simulation of this calculator, and every lesson is replayed on it automatically. Real calculators can label some keys differently.