JavaScript stores numbers as 64-bit floating-point values (IEEE 754 standard), which can cause rounding errors in decimal arithmetic. This is not a bug—it's how computers represent numbers in binary.
The Problem
0.1 + 0.2 → 0.30000000000000004 ❌0.3 - 0.1 → 0.19999999999999998 ❌0.1 * 0.2 → 0.020000000000000004 ❌The Solution
This calculator uses Decimal.js, a JavaScript library that performs arbitrary-precision decimal arithmetic. It avoids floating-point representation by working with decimal strings internally, ensuring accurate calculations for financial applications, scientific computing, and any scenario requiring exact decimal precision.
JavaScript Implementation Examples
❌ Native JavaScript (Incorrect)
// Price calculation gone wrong const price = 0.1; const quantity = 3; const total = price * quantity; console.log(total); // 0.30000000000000004 // Tax calculation error const amount = 0.2; const tax = 0.1; const withTax = amount + tax; console.log(withTax); // 0.30000000000000004
✅ Using Decimal.js (Correct)
import Decimal from 'decimal.js';
// Accurate price calculation
const price = new Decimal(0.1);
const quantity = new Decimal(3);
const total = price.times(quantity);
console.log(total.toString()); // "0.3"
// Accurate tax calculation
const amount = new Decimal(0.2);
const tax = new Decimal(0.1);
const withTax = amount.plus(tax);
console.log(withTax.toString()); // "0.3"
// Set precision for financial calculations
Decimal.set({ precision: 10, rounding: 4 });
// Chain operations
const result = new Decimal('19.99')
.times('1.08') // Add 8% tax
.toDecimalPlaces(2); // Round to 2 decimals
console.log(result.toString()); // "21.59"🔧 Alternative: Manual Integer Math
// Convert to cents for calculations
function multiply(a, b, decimals = 2) {
const multiplier = Math.pow(10, decimals);
const intA = Math.round(a * multiplier);
const intB = Math.round(b * multiplier);
return (intA * intB) / (multiplier * multiplier);
}
const price = 0.1;
const quantity = 3;
console.log(multiply(price, quantity)); // 0.03
// Note: This approach is limited and error-prone
// For production use, prefer Decimal.jsExpression Mode 🚀
Expression Mode allows you to evaluate complex mathematical expressions with high precision. It uses expr-eval parser combined with Decimal.js for accurate results.
0.1 + 0.2 → Evaluates to exactly 0.3(23.456 + 45.23) * 2 - 10 → Complex calculation with parentheses435345345.7456 + 345345.234 - (345345.234234 * 234234) * 9 → Large numbersKey Features
- Expression Mode: Evaluate full mathematical expressions with parentheses and multiple operations
- Arbitrary precision: Calculate with up to 15 decimal places
- Six operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, power, and modulus
- Fraction conversion: See decimal results as fractions (e.g., 0.5 → 1/2)
- Scientific notation: Toggle exponential format for very large or small numbers
- Auto-calculate: Results update as you type (Simple Mode only)
- History tracking: Review your last 5 calculations
Common Use Cases
Currency conversions, tax calculations, interest rates
Measurements, chemical calculations, physics equations
Statistical calculations, percentage computations
Shopping cart totals, discounts, shipping costs