8 Best calculator applications for Linux


One of the most basic utilities that we use in our mobile phones and computer is calculator. Every operating system provides a calculator application to perform basic to advanced calculations but most of these have limited functionalities.

So in this article, I will discuss some of the best calculator programs for Linux to perform advanced calculations.

Qalculate

Qalculate is a free and open-source powerful calculator software that comes with advanced functionalities. It has an interactive GUI which is implemented using KDE or GTK+-2.0 and Glade XML.

Qalculate is useful for everyday needs as well as for scientific or more complex calculations. You can simply enter your expression and it displays the result in a separate display. It is a cross-platform application that means you can install it on Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.

The key features of Qalculate are –

  • Includes a large library of customizable functions
  • Unit calculation and conversion
  • Physical constants
  • Supports vector and matrices operations
  • Integrated periodic table
  • Base and currency conversion
  • Symbolic calculation (Derivation and integration)
  • Graph plotting using Gnuplot
  • Calculation history
  • Character encoding and bitwise operations, etc.

Download Qalculate

SpeedCrunch

SpeedCrunch is a free and open-source high-precision scientific calculator which offers easy to use, fast, keyboard-driven user interface. It provides various built-in mathematical functions and allows you to define your own function.

It offers a built-in formula book that allows you to review and insert commonly used formulas such as volume of a cone, simple and compound interest, etc.

The key features of SpeedCrunch are –

    • Syntax highlighting
    • Auto-completion feature
    • Keyboard driven user interface
    • Offer builtin formula book
    • High precision up to 50 decimal digits
    • Calculation history
    • Supports variables e.g. x=pi*2, sin(x), etc
    • Different angle modes
    • Automatic parenthesis closing

Download SpeedCrunch

Extcalc

Extcal is a free and open-source feature-rich scientific calculator for Linux. It is a multifunctional calculator which has features like plotting and analyzing graphs, calculating scientific functions.

It is designed to fully utilize the performance of a computer for calculations. It provides an easy-to-use Qt-based user interface.

The key features of Extcalc are –

  • Easy to use user interface
  • Provides a wide range of inbuilt functions
  • Allows drawing of different types of graphs
  • Differentiation and integration calculation
  • Base n calculations
  • Logic functions support
  • Provides an integrated scripting language
  • Supports complex number calculation
  • Matrix and vector calculations
  • Statics functions such as approximation, interpolation functions, etc.

Download Extcalc

Insect

Insect is a free and open-source high precision scientific calculator which can be used either in a web browser or through the terminal. Using an online web-based version doesn’t need to install the package on a system.

It allows performing various mathematical functions in a readline-based user interface. If maintains the history of calculations that you performed, you can access it by using arrow keys.

The key features of Insect calculator are –

  • Free and opensource
  • Offers web and terminal versions
  • Can evaluate complex mathematical functions
  • Parsing and handling of physical units (SI units, imperial units, time-based units, etc)
  • Has built physical constants
  • Supports user-defined variables and functions
  • Syntax highlighting, Tab completion, Readline interface

Access the online version of Insect here.

Download Insect

galculator

The galculator is a free and open source GTK 2/3 based calculator with ordinary and reverse polish notation(RPN). It also has a formula entry mode, supports different bases such as decimal, octal, binary, hexadecimal, and different angle measurement modes i.e. degree, radian, grad.

It supports quad precision floating point and 112-bit binary arithmetic.

The key features of galculator are –

  • Free and opensource
  • Algebraic, formula entry, and paper modes
  • Ordinary and reverse polish notation
  • Binary, decimal, octal, and hexadecimal number base
  • Different angle modes
  • User-defined constants and functions
  • Quad precision floating-point arithmetic
  • 112 bit binary arithmetic
  • Can be used in basic or scientific mode

Download galculator 

Genius Mathematics Tool (GMT)

Genius Mathematics Tool is a free and open-source general purpose calculator software that is somewhat similar to MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, etc. It can be used as a simple calculator or research or education tool.

GEL or Genius Extension Language is a programming language used with GMT which has very intuitive syntax and it looks at how math is usually written.

The key features of Genius Mathematics Tool are – 

  • Free and opensource
  • Complex number support
  • Arbitrary precision integers and multiple precision floats
  • Math like looking expressions
  • Linear Algebra functions
  • Differntiations and integration
  • Supports all the basic statistical functions
  • 2D and 3D graph plotting
  • Provide GUI IDE to write and test your programs
  • It can output matrices in LaTeX, Troff(eqn) or MathML

Download GMT

rpCalc

rpCalc is a free and open-source feature-rich desktop calculator for Linux and Windows. It has a simple and intuitive user interface that enables users to perform calculations efficiently.

It offers various features and functionalities and has the capability to adapt reverse polish notation. You can also access the history of calculations that are performed on the calculator.

The key features of rpCalc are –

  • Uses ordinary and reverse polish notation
  • It uses four RPN registers which can be displayed on the main display whenever required
  • You can view the history of calculations
  • Allows conversion from other bases i.e. binary, octal, hexadecimal, etc
  • You can copy and paste values
  • Options can be set to control the display of numbers and the initial window configuration.

Download rpCalc

Nonpariel

Nonpareil is a free and open-source microcode-level simulator for electronic calculators. It is a high fidelity simulator for calculators which supports many HP calculator models introduced between 1972 to 1982.

It is a microcode level-based simulator for electronics calculators. Nonpareil enables its users to experience the same experience as that of any electronic calculator around the globe with significantly enhanced and a list of advanced features and capabilities.

The features of Nonpariel are –

  • Free and opensource
  • Simulates the following calculators:
    • HP-35, HP-45, HP-55, HP-80;
    • HP-21, HP-25;
    • HP-31E, HP-33C, HP-34C, HP-37E, HP-38E, HP-38C;
    • HP-41CV, HP-41CX.
  • Simulates an 82143A printer.

Download Nonpariel

Ok, that’s all for now. Now you can tell us which one you prefer to use on your Linux system.

If you have a query or feedback then write us in the comments below.

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