About CalcAtlas

What CalcAtlas is for

An online calculator is more useful when you can understand what the result means and how it was calculated. CalcAtlas therefore combines interactive calculation tools with supporting information about the calculation being performed.

Depending on the subject, calculator pages may include the formula or method used, explanations of the inputs, assumptions, units, worked examples, result breakdowns and practical limitations.

The amount of supporting information varies according to the calculation. A straightforward conversion may require less explanation than an engineering, financial or construction calculation involving several assumptions.

How calculators are developed

Each CalcAtlas calculator starts with the calculation itself: the required inputs, the formula or calculation method and the result that the tool needs to produce.

The calculator is then built around those requirements so that the inputs are clearly labelled and the result is presented in a useful form. Where a calculation involves different units, assumptions or intermediate values, these are included when they help explain or verify the result.

Calculators are tested with sample values and expected results before publication. Where appropriate, calculation methods are also compared with established formulas, technical references, standards or authoritative guidance relevant to the subject.

Accuracy and reliability

CalcAtlas calculators use established formulas and commonly accepted calculation methods where applicable. Calculator pages explain important assumptions, methods and limitations when these affect how the result should be interpreted.

Care is taken to make the calculations and explanations useful, but calculator results should still be treated as estimates unless otherwise stated. The accuracy of a result also depends on the accuracy of the information entered.

Real-world conditions, local standards, regulations, product specifications, contractual terms and professional requirements can affect the appropriate calculation or final result.

For calculations involving safety, engineering design, construction, finance, taxation or other important decisions, results should be checked against the relevant standards, official guidance or appropriate professional advice.

What you can calculate

CalcAtlas includes calculators covering engineering, home and building, money, work and pay, and time and date. Specialist calculators also cover subjects including automotive costs, sports, mathematics, unit conversions, agriculture and shipping.

You can browse the complete collection on the All Calculators page, or use the search tool to find a calculator for a particular task.

Why CalcAtlas was created

CalcAtlas was created around the idea that useful online tools should be easy to find, easy to use and easy to understand.

Rather than adding features simply to make a calculator appear more complicated, the focus is on providing the inputs and results that are useful for the calculation, together with enough information to understand how those results were produced.

The site is designed to work across desktop, tablet and mobile devices so the calculators can be used where they are needed.

Suggestions and corrections

Calculators and supporting explanations can be improved when errors, unclear wording or unusual cases are identified. If you notice something that appears incorrect or could be explained more clearly, feedback is welcome.

You can also suggest a calculation that would make a useful addition to CalcAtlas.

Visit the contact page to report a problem, provide feedback or suggest a calculator.