Strangely, Apple does not offer an iPad version of its Calculator app. That means it won’t appear on the home screen, in the App Manager, or Control Center. However, there is a calculator on your iPad.
When Apple released its first iPad in 2010, it already had an iPad calculator available, but it was just a redesigned version of the iPhone app. Steve Jobs quickly scrapped it, and a calculator optimized for iPads couldn’t be designed before it was released.
The calculator app for iPadOS has still not been introduced by Apple – even in version 16 (which now includes the Weather app).
In 2020, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, said they’d wanted to build something unique but hadn’t gotten it right. Federighi speculated, It might happen, but the App Store already has too many options.
However, the iPad does have a calculator, but it is not an app like the iPhone. For instance, you need to access the Spotlight Search tool to bring it up.
This scientific calculator can solve fundamental arithmetic problems like addition and subtraction and trigonometric and logarithmic functions, but you have to type out the whole equation or problem, which is not as convenient as using a dedicated calculator app.
Instead of typing, you can also use Siri to do the hard work. But the chances of Siri hearing incorrectly are high – which is just as stressful. Plus, do you really want to do all that in a public space like the library or classroom?
Fortunately, as Federighi said, many calculator apps exist in the App Store. But which should you use? Let’s look at some of the best calculator apps for iPad today.
Best Calculator Apps For iPad
1. PCalc
PCalc is one of the best calculator apps for iPad. It is feature-rich and can meet the needs of students, scientists, engineers, programmers, or anyone who needs to crunch numbers immediately.
This calculator supports hexadecimal, octal, and binary calculations, an extensive set of unit conversions, paper tape, and an optional RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) mode.
PCalc features switchable button layouts, which let you choose between different horizontal and vertical arrangements. It also has an editor that enables you to create your own and share it with others.
This calculator app for iPad supports split-screen multitasking, enabling you to open two applications or browser windows simultaneously, saving you time switching between apps or tabs.
For instance, if you are studying on your iPad but need to run a calculation quickly, you can open the PCalc window next to your notes to help you solve complex problems faster.
Users can also customize the look and feel of their calculators by choosing from the program’s vast array of themes. Other features of this calculator application include 3D touch support, and a variety of bitwise operators available in hexadecimal, octal, and binary modes.
If you need to convert a value on your calculator to another unit of measurement, there is also a unit conversion feature here.
PCalc has a free version, PCalc Lite, which has all the basic functions but lacks some advanced features. You will have to buy the app for $9.99 in the Apple Store to enjoy these features.
2. MyScript Calculator
MyScript Calculator was created by Ink, a company that specializes in Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) to develop different digital solutions. This calculator allows you to write on your iPad screen, and the app recognizes your handwriting to perform the calculations.
If you ever run out of space when entering a long calculation, continue to the following line, and the algorithm will understand when solving.
You can also create multi-step calculations with the drag-and-drop features. The app keeps a history of all your computations so that you can quickly review previous results or modify them if necessary.
This calculator supports everyday mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It has a vast list of mathematical functions: trigonometric functions, logarithms, hyperbolic functions, exponential functions, and others.
For just $2.99, you can own this app in the App Store and enjoy using it on your tablet.
3. Tydlig
If you appreciate a minimalistic design, you will love Tydlig. This calculator app for iPad has a clean UI that helps users to focus.
With Tydlig, the Responsive Results feature allows you to adjust any number on the canvas and automatically see all affected results updated. As a result, you eliminate redundancies.
Another unique feature of this app is Linked Numbers. After selecting a result, you can make a linked number below by pressing any operation. You can also drag a result to create a link. Responsive Results will propagate them.
Users will also appreciate the Text Labels feature that lets you give a label to a number to describe what it represents.
A Powerful Graphing feature is available for users who need to visualize their results with a graph. You can create a graph by long pressing any number you want to make an “x” and tapping the graph action.
Get Tydlig for $1.99 on the Apple Store.
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4. Calzy
Even If you are not looking for a new calculator app for your iPad, consider Calzy because it will look gorgeous on your device. The app has a black theme – you know how black goes with almost everything.
But that’s not the only reason to spend $4.00 on this app. Calzy won the Apple Design Award in 2018. Again, that’s not the only reason to buy this app.
Calzy can help you perform your everyday calculations in a matter of seconds. It features a powerful calculator with RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) that allows algebraic operations to be performed easily without loss of precision.
Whether you want to perform basic calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, Calzy has you covered.
You can also enter expressions in vertical or horizontal mode, giving you the flexibility to work with more numbers at once.
Two unique features of Calzy are the Memory Area and History & Bookmarking. The Memory Area allows you to drag and drop multiple numerical values till you are ready to use them again.
The History & Bookmarking feature lets you save your calculations with a title to recall them later when you need them again.
Calzy can also spell out calculation results in English and 65 other languages – pretty cool.
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5. Uno Calculator
Are you looking for a free calculator app for your iPad? Uno Calculator is your answer. This app begins with every fundamental calculator function: addition, subtraction, trigonometric, binary, octal, and hexadecimal modes.
For complex calculations, switch to the Programmer Calculator mode. You can also convert a wide array of measurement units like meters, miles, feet, centimeters, millimeters, inches, pounds, ounces, and kilograms.
Uno Calculator has a simple and intuitive UI that enables users to complete complicated calculations efficiently.
You can also open the Uno Calculator in slides, which saves you time and makes calculations quicker.
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6. Calcbot
Calcbot is another excellent calculator app for iPad. This calculator can perform basic mathematical operations with ease. And if you ever need any scientific or statistical functions on your iPad, Calcbot has you covered there too.
The Expression View feature lets you view each keystroke history, so you’ll never miss a typo or get lost. Double-check your calculations without typing them twice.
It also has a History Tape that saves every calculation you ever make on your iPad so you can retrieve them anytime for later use. You can face a calculation to add to your favorites list for easy access later.
With 500 units across more than 20 different categories, Calcbot is your go-to calculator if you need to convert between units.
Users can also share their results via email. Plus, there are 12 gorgeous themes to personalize your view.
Like some of the other apps on this list, there is a drag-and-drop and split view function to multitask while calculating – allowing you to use two apps simultaneously on your iPad screen for increased productivity.
Calcbot costs $4.00 in the App Store.
7. Photomath
Photomath is another free calculator app for iPad. There’s more to this app than just a calculator. It helps you learn math with a step-by-step explanation. The developers promise that you can master math from arithmetic to calculus, so you can continue building on your skills.
A novel feature of this app is the ability to scan a problem from a book or a print source. The app will read the problem and solve the calculation for you.
Their math teachers have vetted the step-by-step approach to solving each problem to ensure students understand concepts correctly before moving forward.
Photomath covers many math topics, including elementary math, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, word problems, and more.
This app is a must-have for students or anyone who needs help with math homework. It is a calculator and a learning tool in one package – perfect for busy students on the go.
8. CalConvert
CalConvert is a dynamic iPad calculator and unit converter app that allows you to convert units in over 27 categories, including temperature and weight.
Select the units you want and enter the value you want to convert, and CalConvert will tell you the answers in all the other units.
CalConvert is also a currency converter for iPad that fits right in your pocket to convert more than 170 global currencies on the go.
The app does not just allow you to convert currencies, but it also helps you to track your conversions history. For example, suppose you are a casual traveler and want to keep a record of everything you spent during your last trip. In that case, you can do that effortlessly using CalConvert.
CalConvert supports 24 languages, providing easy access to a global audience.
This multipurpose application also features a variety of themes, allowing you to customize your app as you desire. The app also has a home screen widget, in which you can convert currency and units from the home screen.
While all features integrated into CalConvert are free, offers for in-app purchases such as removing ads, school parks, CalConvert Pro, etc., are available.
If you don’t find the unit you need, you can email the creators of CalConvert, and their 24/7 customer support will provide feedback.
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9. Calculate84
The free “Calculate84” App from Century Light LLC is a downloadable scientific graphical calculator with a friendly interface, available for iPad
Calculate84 helps people worldwide increase productivity with a fun, easy-to-use calculator that organizes calculations into categories so users can easily access the formula they need.
The app is based on OrCALC, an integrated calculation and unit conversion tool currently available for iPad.
Besides the unique graphical user interface, Calculate84 lets you enter and edit simple expressions, complex equations, or scientific worksheets that you would find on a TI-84.
It has all of the standard scientific calculator features but with the added advantages of an equation editor, which allows you to store your functions and use them with built-in functions.
While Calculate84 is one of the best free graphical calculators compared to other apps in the same category, you will need an in-app subscription if you find ads buggy.
10. Calculator HD Pro
If you need a great calculator that can crunch the numbers in quick time. Try Calculator HD Pro app on your iPad. This calculator may be one of the handiest on the list.
It’s a beneficial and powerful addition to your iPad. It’s also free, so there is no reason not to download it.
Calculator HD Pro is much more than a calculator because it can display pertinent information when needed and doesn’t limit you to basic arithmetic.
It also includes functions you will need in your day-to-day activities.
It is a full-featured scientific calculator with a tape to keep track of all your calculations. You now know where to turn if you’re taking a standardized test and are worried about calculating compound interest.
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11. Xmart Calculator
Xmart Calculator Pro is an all-in-one calculator available for iPad. The product incorporates one of the most advanced technologies (QT4 technology for the Mac OS X platform).
The calculator is fully customizable and gives you a balanced set of mathematical and scientific functions to perform from simple to complex calculations with acceptable accuracy.
You don’t need to press the ‘=’ button while performing a calculation because the calculator shows the result instantly when the input is updated.
Moreover, you can view your operations on the top to check your numbers if any doubts arise, which isn’t possible with the native calculator.
Using this app will eliminate all of the clutter in the standard calculator applications.
I also like that it stores your history, so you don’t have to recalculate everything if you need to remember the calculation. Best of all, it’s completely free!
12. TI-Nspire
TI-Nspire is a handheld algebraic and graphic calculator from Texas Instruments. TI-Nspire™ for iPad is the first application that takes full advantage of the new Surface™ touch interface, which allows you to plot graphs, functions, and equations.
This app turns your iPad into a powerful learning tool for algebra. Students can take the built-in classes anywhere or create their curriculum on their iPad.
With this new application, you can access your CAS Calculator on any iPad and work across different platforms using email, iTunes, and Dropbox. So whether you are in class, on the bus, in the library, or anywhere else, you can now use your CAS calculator and instantly get the answers you want.
With TI-Nspire, you can take full advantage of your device’s full potential when you need to simultaneously use several TI sources and functions that were only available in the PC environment.
If you prefer the stylus over the keyboard, the app will surprise and delight you with its wealth of functionality.
You can upload images from iPad’s photo library and use its stylus to draw overlaying graphs on the pictures to illustrate real-time math principles.
The only downside to this app is that it requires you to pay a subscription of $29.99 to access all its functionalities.
13. Numerical 2
Numerical 2 is an innovative multi-function and easy-to-use calculator with a user-friendly design and simple operation.
The simplicity of this calculator app may turn you off at first until you start to experiment with it.
The more you use it, the more valuable it becomes. The app doesn’t have an equals key, so all you need to do is enter a value and the other fields will automatically update.
Advanced functions of the Numerical 2 calculator include an Expression History, which provides quick access to all previous calculations synced to the iCloud. This gives you the flexibility to access these records on another device.
The app also features a full-screen and fraction display, which allows you to split your screen when multitasking. The app also features a scientific keypad that solves more complex calculations.
You can also select characters, insert text, and delete in the edit mode. The app is also compatible with an external keyboard.
It is possible to customize the calculator’s appearance using any 16 inbuilt themes or by creating a theme using the theme creator. You can also use the widget in the notification center for quick access to the app. Best of all, it’s free.
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14. Calculator & Math Solver
You no longer have to be a math genius to perform basic calculations. If you don’t have a favorite calculator yet, choosing this simple scientific calculator app for your iPad might be the right fit.
This app turns your iPad into a scientific calculator that combines the basic functions of popular app features into a single platform to make simple math fast and easy.
It also works as a unit & currency converter, an equation solver, and an angle calculator. The app has three different views – a standard view, a scientific view, and a keyboard view.
This calculator looks like a large drawing pad, allowing you to split the view. It also provides a step-by-step guide for handwritten notes when you use your phone camera to take a snapshot of scientific calculations.
Calculator & Math Solver is a free app; it, however, offers in-app purchases. It also provides the user the ability to customize the themes so that it feels more personal. Math has never been easier, faster, and more enjoyable with all these features.
15. Desmos
If you need to perform graphical calculations on the fly without a scientific calculator, you can use the Desmos calculator. With more than 40 million users worldwide, Desmos has grown to become one of the best Graphs iPad apps and a leader in visual math.
Desmos is a free graphing calculator where you can plot functions with interactive elements and explore different equations and graph shapes. Desmos has many excellent features like built-in data analysis, multi-line and multi-pan graphs, slider tools to adjust values interactively, and more.
More than 100,000 fun and interesting problems are preloaded, which means there is no limit to the scientific expression you can explore on the Desmos app.
You can also manually adjust the window size for the best graphical result. You can also solve other numerical problems using the Desmos scientific calculator.
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Wrap Up
Most of the calculator apps for iPad on this list are impressive and offer multipurpose use. However, the calculator app that met my expectations is PCalc.
PCalc is packed with features and caters equally to the needs of students and working professionals. The app allows users to customize their experience with various themes and options.
This may seem like a little thing, but it gives users the flexibility to adjust the look and feel of the app to their liking, which ultimately increases their productivity.
It is the most expensive on the list at $9.99, but represents value for your money, especially considering the features you get.
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