ModernCalc is an intuitive and powerful mathematical environment for macOS, designed for students, engineers, and scientists.
By blending the simplicity of a text-based interface with a robust evaluation engine that understands physical units, ModernCalc streamlines complex calculations, data analysis, and visualization.
Get instant feedback with a live-updating LaTeX preview of your expression and its result. The text-based workflow lets you build calculations naturally, without ever leaving the keyboard.
Go beyond basic arithmetic. ModernCalc's powerful engine handles variables, complex numbers, vectors, matrices, calculus, and a comprehensive unit system with dimensional analysis. Errors in unit conversion are a thing of the past.
Define values with experimental uncertainty using the uncert() function. All subsequent calculations will automatically and correctly propagate both random and systematic errors.
Turn data and functions into insight. Create function plots, parametric equations, and scatter plots with polynomial fitting using simple commands. Each plot opens in a dedicated, interactive window.
Import data directly from .csv files into matrix variables. Preview your data, select columns, fix delimiters, and start your analysis in seconds.
-
Live LaTeX Preview: See your math beautifully rendered as you type.
-
Calculation History: Access, modify, and reuse previous calculations with arrow-key navigation.
-
Variable & Function Support: Assign values to variables (
x := 5.kg) and define your own custom, multi-variable functions (f(x) := x^2).
-
Complex Numbers: Full support for complex arithmetic, including polar form (
5∠53.13). -
Vectors & Matrices:
vector(1; 2; 3) + vector(4; 5; 6). -
Physical Units & Constants: A comprehensive unit system prevents errors.
Examples:
2.5.m + 50.cm -> 3 m
9.81.m/.s^2 * 10.kg -> 98.1 N
1.acre in .m^2 -> 4046.86 m^2
- Uncertainty Propagation: Handle experimental data with confidence.
Examples:
v := uncert(9.8.m/.s, random: 0.2.m/.s)
d := uncert(2.5.m, accuracy: 0.1.m)
d/v -> (0.26 ± 0.01) s
-
Derivatives:
derivative(x^3, x, 2) -
Integrals:
integral(sin(x), x, 0, pi) -
Gradients:
grad(f, vector(1,2))
Numerically find real roots for equations, with or without units:
solve(x^2 == 9, x)
solve(P/1.m^2 == 1.atm, P, 1.N)
A rich library of functions including mean, stddev, corr, polyfit, and more.
plot(sin(x), x, -pi, pi)
autoplot(x^2, -x^2)
scatterplot(my_data_x, my_data_y, 1) (with linear fit)
-
Use the
filebutton orimportcsv()to launch the importer. -
Visually select columns and rows to import as a matrix.
-
Go to the ModernCalc Releases page.
-
Download the latest
.zipfile from the list of releases. -
Unzip the downloaded file.
-
Drag ModernCalc.app into your Applications folder.
-
On first launch, you may need to right-click the app and select Open from the context menu to bypass macOS security warnings. This only needs to be done once.
ModernCalc is the perfect tool for anyone who wants to calculate, analyze, and visualize—all within a single, elegant application.