Exponent Calculator
Raise a base to a power. Works with positive, negative, zero and fractional exponents.
Reviewed by the WorldCalcs team · Methodology · Last reviewed: June 2026
Result
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What is an exponent?
An exponent, also called a power, tells you how many times to multiply a number, the base, by itself. In 2 to the 5th the base is 2 and the exponent is 5, so it equals 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 32. Exponents are a compact way to write repeated multiplication and are the backbone of scientific notation, compound growth, areas and volumes, and computing. "2 to the power of 10" and "2 raised to the 10th" both mean the same thing.
How to calculate exponents
For a positive whole exponent, multiply the base by itself that many times: 2 to the 10th = 1024. A negative exponent means the reciprocal, so 2 to the power of -3 = 1 divided by 2 cubed = 1 divided by 8 = 0.125. Any non-zero number to the power 0 equals 1. A fractional exponent is a root: 9 to the power 0.5 is the square root of 9, which is 3, and in general a power of 1/n is the nth root. A negative base is fine for whole-number exponents, since (-2) cubed = -8, but a negative base with a fractional exponent has no real result. Three handy rules: multiply same-base powers by adding exponents (2 cubed x 2 to the 4th = 2 to the 7th), divide by subtracting them, and raise a power to a power by multiplying them.
Example
To work out 2 to the 10th, multiply 2 by itself ten times: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, so the answer is 1024. For a negative exponent, 2 to the power of -3 flips to 1 divided by 8 = 0.125. For a fractional exponent, 9 to the power 0.5 is the square root of 9 = 3.
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Results are estimates and may contain errors — for general information only, not professional advice. Always verify before relying on them. Disclaimer
How to use
Enter the base and the exponent, then read the result. The calculator handles whole-number, negative, and fractional powers.
A negative base with a fractional exponent has no real value and is flagged as undefined. Very large or very small results are shown in scientific notation.