Absolute Value Calculator
Find the absolute value (distance from zero) of any number
About this calculator
The absolute value |n| is the distance from n to zero on the number line — always non-negative. |−42| = 42, |42| = 42, |0| = 0. Absolute value is used in error calculations, distance problems, financial profit/loss (absolute magnitude), and physics (speed vs velocity).
How to use
Enter −15.7 → result is 15.7. The sign is removed, leaving only the magnitude. Useful when you care about 'how far' rather than 'which direction'.
Frequently asked questions
Why is |0| = 0?
Zero is neither positive nor negative — it is exactly at zero on the number line. Its distance from itself is zero.
How is absolute value used in real life?
Temperature differences (5°C below zero vs 5°C above differ in sign but the same magnitude), financial losses (a $100 loss has the same magnitude as a $100 gain), and error margins all use absolute value.