PEMDAS Calculator
Solve any expression step by step, line by line, in order of operations with each move explained.
Type any expression with + − × ÷ (or * and /), ^ for exponents and parentheses. Each line below shows one operation, applied in PEMDAS order: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication & Division (left to right), then Addition & Subtraction (left to right). Runs entirely in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What does PEMDAS stand for?
Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, then Addition and Subtraction. It is the order of operations used to decide which part of an expression to calculate first.
How does this calculator show its work?
It solves exactly one operation per line, in PEMDAS order, and highlights the number that was just calculated compared to the line above, with a note explaining what was done and which rule applied.
Is multiplication always done before division?
No. Multiplication and division have equal priority and are worked left to right, so in 8 divided by 4 times 3 the division happens first because it appears first.
Is PEMDAS the same as BODMAS or BEDMAS?
Yes. They are different names for the same rules, where Brackets means parentheses and Orders or Indices means exponents, so this tool gives the same answer under any of them.
What is 8 divided by 2 times the quantity 2 plus 2?
The famous 8÷2(2+2) puzzle equals 16 by modern convention: the parentheses give 4 first, then 8 divided by 2 and times 4 are worked left to right because division and multiplication share priority.
Why is negative 3 squared shown as negative 9?
Written without parentheses, the exponent binds tighter than the minus sign, so -3^2 means the negative of 3 squared, which is -9. Write (-3)^2 to square the negative number and get 9.
Can I enter decimals and negative numbers?
Yes. Decimals, negative numbers and nested parentheses all work, and writing a number directly against a parenthesis such as 2(3+4) is treated as multiplication.
Is my expression sent to a server?
No. The expression is parsed and solved entirely in your browser without using the JavaScript eval function, and nothing you type is uploaded or stored.