KCalc review
A focused, free Linux calculator with scientific, statistical, and number-base tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
KCalc is KDE’s open-source Linux desktop calculator for people who want arithmetic alongside scientific and statistical functions. It covers trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, logarithms, powers, factorials, and statistics such as mean, median, and standard deviation. Number-base calculations work in binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal, while bitwise logic operations and shifts extend its utility for users working with those representations. Its focused scope suits Linux users who need a calculator at the desktop rather than a broader scientific application.
The workflow is centered on calculation and recall. A results stack lets users bring previous results back into a calculation, while memory registers and scientific constants provide additional ways to reuse values. Precision and displayed digits are configurable, and the display’s colors and font can also be changed. Keyboard shortcuts and clipboard copy and paste support direct interaction with numbers. Together, these controls make KCalc adaptable for repeated calculations without changing its core role as a calculator.
KCalc is distributed under the GPL-2.0-or-later license and is installed through Linux distribution packages or AppStream stores. KDE provides documentation and community support. The listed deployment is Linux desktop, so it is a natural fit for Linux users seeking a free, open-source calculator with scientific, statistical, numeral-system, and bitwise features. Its scope is deliberately centered on those calculator tasks; teams looking for a broader scientific workspace or users who need a calculator on other platforms should consider a different kind of tool.
KCalc pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines scientific, statistical, numeral-system, and bitwise calculations.
- Results stack, memory registers, and constants support repeat calculations.
- Configurable precision, display, keyboard shortcuts, and clipboard controls.
- Where it doesn't
- Its listed platform is Linux desktop, not a cross-platform calculator.
- Its focus is calculator functions rather than a broader scientific workspace.
- Support channels are documentation and community.
KCalc fact sheet, pricing and score →
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