“2+2 is… err. Um. Can somebody help me out here? Boy, it sure would be nice if I had a calculator. Unfortunately, my phone is dead, this function is much too complicated for my PC’s calculator, and my TI-83 is lost forever. Oh dear, whatever should I do?!”

Friends, this certainly is a common problem in the world today. What is it exactly? Calculator deprivation. Well, maybe it’s not as tragic as I made it out to be. However, we’ve all been in a situation where we’re trying to crunch some numbers, and things are just a little too complicated to figure out by hand. Fortunately, the webernauts are here to help, and a select few of them have created a few online-based calculators.

ECalc

Are you looking for something simple, easy-to-read, and puts function over form? Great. ECalc should do the trick! ECalc is an in-browser calculator that offers scientific functionality in addition to the basics. Additionally, the site itself has a quite a few tips on different types of math skills and other various types of calculations that could be useful on the fly.

Furthermore, besides its in-browser availability, it also has a few apps for all sorts of different platforms. Make sure to check them out!

Graphing Calculator

This Graphing Calculator looks like a children’s math help program from the 90′s, but at least it’s usable. Honestly, I’ve forgotten most of my math skills (and that’s why I’m a writer), but from what I could tell, this was quite the effective calculator.

The site offers all the complicated functions that something like the TI-83 or TI-84 could pull off, but seeing that it is only available in-browser with no fancy apps for your other 100 platforms, you’ll likely end up using your actual calculator anyway. However, I believe this is a great site to bookmark in case of an emergency.

Metacalc

Are you needing something that’s already on your computer, probably in your desk drawer, and likely even on your phone? Well… here’s Metacalc. This online calculator is extremely simple, and honestly, I can’t see where you would use it much. Macs have calculators on the dashboard, and PCs have them in their accessories. Why would you want to bookmark this?

Like I said, you never know what could happen. Your Mac dashboard could go nuts! Your PC could fry to the point where you can’t access your accessories! The horror! But really, this might be worth saving – you just never know.

Web2.0Calc

Behold! This is the calculator that saved me on my journalism math tests (those things do exist). This is a fantastic scientific-based calculator that is available only on the web. It’s simple to use, easy to understand, and functions like nobody’s business. The site itself offers the code for the widget version of this app to put on your own sites (if you so desire), and besides that, there are a few forums for you to participate, and… you know… talk about math and stuff…

Conclusion

I hope you all find a little a something to help you when you’re in a numerical bind here, and I’d love to hear about other online math tools that you have to offer. Hopefully, we will be able to find a few more.

What other websites do you use to help with your calculations? Have these sites ever helped you?