Sig Fig Calculator

Significant Figures or Digits

The number of digits that are meaningful: they have an accuracy matching our measurements, or are simply all we need.

A significant figure is a figure or a digit that contributes to how accurately something can be measured. For example, a standard meter stick with centimeters as the smallest division can be used to accurately measure to a tenth of the smallest unit, which is a millimeter.

There are certain rules which need to be followed to measure the significant figures of a calculated measurement.

Listed below are the basics of the law:

• All non zero digits are significant
• Zeroes between non zero digits are significant
• A trailing zero or final zero in the decimal portion only are significant.

Significant Figures Examples

The numbers in boldface are the significant figures.

• 5408 – 4 significant figures
• 50.06 – 4 significant figures
• 580,000 – 2 significant figures
• 5.00 – 3 significant figures