A graphing calculator (also graphics calculator or graphic display calculator) is a handheld computer that is capable of plotting graphs, solving simultaneous equations, and performing other tasks with variables. Most popular graphing calculators are programmable calculators, allowing the user to create customized programs, typically for scientific, engineering or education applications. They have large screens that display several lines of text and calculations.
History
An early graphing calculator was designed in 1921 by electrical engineer Edith Clarke. The calculator was used to solve problems with electrical power line transmission.
Casio produced the first commercially available graphing calculator (fx-7000G) in 1985. Sharp produced its first graphing calculator in 1986, with Hewlett Packard following in 1988, and Texas Instruments in 1990.
Features
Computer algebra systems
Some graphing calculators have a computer algebra system (CAS), which means that they are capable of producing symbolic results. These calculators can manipulate algebraic expressions, performing operations such as factor, expand, and simplify. In addition, they can give answers in exact form without numerical approximations. Calculators that have a computer algebra system are called symbolic or CAS calculators.
Laboratory usage Many graphing calculators can be attached to devices like electronic thermometers, pH gauges, weather instruments, decibel and light meters, accelerometers, and other sensors and therefore function as data loggers, as well as WiFi or other communication modules for monitoring, polling and interaction with the teacher. Student laboratory exercises with data from such devices enhances learning of math, especially statistics and mechanics.
Games and utilities
Since graphing calculators are typically user-programmable, they are also widely used for utilities and calculator gaming, with a sizable body of user-created game software on most popular platforms. The ability to create games and utilities has spurred the creation of calculator application sites (e.g., Cemetech) which, in some cases, may offer programs created using calculators' assembly language. Even though handheld gaming devices fall in a similar price range, graphing calculators offer superior math programming capability for math based games. However, due to poor display resolution, slow processor speed and lack of a dedicated keyboard, they are mostly preferred only by high school students.
While many calculators support third-party software development, there are some modifications discouraged or challenged by manufacturers, particularly modifications that add unauthorized functionality or circumvent security protections. In 2009, Texas Instruments issued DMCA takedown notices to websites and bloggers sharing cryptographic keys to their devices that enabled the installation of custom firmware."Texas Instruments aims lawyers at calculator hackers". The Register. 2009-9-23. Retrieved 2025-12-12. In 2020, Texas Instruments removed assembly and C programming support for the TI-84 Plus CE operating system. According to Inverse, the company stated that they removed such functionality "to prioritize learning and minimize security risks"."Texas Instruments removes support for popular side-loaded apps and games". Inverse. 2020-5-25. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
Software graphing calculators
There are many graphing calculators that do not require dedicated hardware, but run on a device in a web browser or as an app. Notable graphing calculators of this type include Desmos and GeoGebra. Software calculators generally fall within two categories: native software tools and emulators of physical calculator models, such as the virtual TI-84 Plus CE and fx-cg50.
Software graphing calculators run on general devices such as smartphones and personal computers. Interfaces often work with keyboard input and/or virtual buttons. Graphing calculator programs often allow for interactive or dynamic graphing and some like Desmos and GeoGebra are regularly updated to add features or fix bugs.
Graphing calculators in education
Attitudes towards graphing and other calculators in education have evolved over the years, and while some jurisdictions prohibit their use for classwork or exams, others permit or even require their usage, particularly for calculus and trigonometry classes.
In 2022 Amplify bought Desmos Education / Curriculum.
North America – high school mathematics teachers allow and even encourage their students to use graphing calculators in class. In some cases (especially in calculus courses) they are required. College Board of the United States – permits the use of most graphing calculators that do not have a QWERTY-style keyboard for parts of its AP and SAT exams. CAS-equipped calculators are permitted on AP exams, however they are not permitted on the SAT exams. The ACT exam and IB schools do not permit the use of calculators with computer algebra systems. United Kingdom – a graphing calculator is allowed for A-level maths courses, however they are not required and the exams are designed to be broadly 'calculator neutral'. Similarly, at GCSE, all current courses include one paper where no calculator of any kind can be used, but students are permitted to use graphical calculators for other papers. The use of graphical calculators at GCSE is not widespread with cost being a likely factor. The use of CAS is not allowed for either A-level or GCSE. Similarly, calculators with QWERTY keyboard layout are also not allowed as well. General, Vocational and Diploma Qualifications Instructions for conducting examinations. The Scottish SQA allows the use of graphic calculators in maths exams (excluding paper 1, which is exclusively non-calculator), however these should either be checked before exams by invigilators or handed out by the exam centre, as certain functions / information is not allowed to be stored on a calculator in the exam. Finland and Slovenia – and certain other countries, it is forbidden to use calculators with symbolic calculation (CAS) or 3D graphics features in the matriculation exam. This changed in the case of Finland, however, as symbolic calculators were allowed from spring 2012 onwards. Norway – At some technical universities such as NTNU and NHH, only calculators without wireless communication capabilities like IR links are permitted."Permitted examination aids". NTNU."Examination Support materials". NHH. Australia – policies vary from state to state. Victoria – the VCE specifies approved calculators as applicable for its mathematics exams. For Further Mathematics an approved graphics calculator (for example TI-83/84, Casio 9860, HP-39G) or CAS (for example TI-89, the ClassPad series, HP-40G) can be used. Mathematical Methods (CAS) has a technology free examination consisting of short answer and some extended answer questions. It then also has a technology-active examination consisting of extended response and multiple choice questions: a CAS is the assumed technology for Mathematical Methods (CAS). Specialist Mathematics has a technology free examination and a technology-active examination where either an approved graphics calculator or CAS may be used. Calculator memories are not required to be cleared. In subjects like Physics and Chemistry, students are only allowed a standard scientific calculator. Western Australia – all tertiary entrance examinations in Mathematics involve a calculator section which assume the student has a graphics calculator; CAS enabled calculators are also permitted. In subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Accounting only non-programmable calculators are permitted. New South Wales – graphics calculators are allowed for the General Mathematics Higher School Certificate exam, but disallowed in the higher level Mathematics courses. China - Only the Shanghai College Entrance Examination allows the use of calculators without graphing and memory. Except for Shanghai, the other provinces and cities do not allow the use of calculators, so calculators in general are banned in primary and secondary education in most parts of China. India - Calculators are prohibited in primary and secondary education. (ICSE allows the Casio fx-82MS, or equivalent scientific calculator in 12th boards). They are also prohibited in entrance exams held by the National Testing Agency such as the JEE.JEE Main 2026: NTA confirms calculators not allowed; clarifies typo error in bulletin. The Times of India. 2025-11-03. Retrieved 2025-12-12. University degree and diploma courses have their own rules on use of permitted models of calculators in exams. Casio's fx-991MS, fx-991ES, fx-100MS, and fx-350MS scientific calculators are used in many university degree and diploma courses. These calculators are also permitted for university exams as they are non-programmable since programmable calculators are not allowed for university exams. During the online GATE examinations and other competitive examinations, candidates are provided with a virtual scientific calculator as physical calculators of any type are not permitted. New Zealand – Calculators identified as having high-level algebraic manipulation capability are prohibited in NCEA examinations unless specifically allowed by a standard or subject prescription. This includes calculators such as the TI-89 series . Turkey – any type of calculator whatsoever is prohibited in all primary and high schools. Singapore – graphing calculators are used in junior colleges; it is required in the Mathematics paper of the GCE 'A' Levels, and most schools use the TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus Silver Edition. Netherlands – high school students are obliged to use graphing calculators during tests and exams in their final three years. Most students use the TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus, but other graphing calculators are allowed, including the Casio fx-9860G and HP-39G. Graphing calculators are almost always allowed to be used during tests instead of normal calculators, which sometimes results in cheat sheets being made on forehand and exchanged before the test starts using link cables. Israel – Graphing calculators are forbidden to use in the Bagrut (equivalent to the British A-Levels) math exam, in addition to programmable calculators.http://meyda.education.gov.il/sheeloney_bagrut/2012/1/HEB/35807.PDF The instructions for conducting the 5-point exam Bagrut in math, 2012 in Hebrew. University degree and diploma courses have their own rules on use and permitted models of calculators in exams.
Programming
Most graphing calculators, as well as some non-graphing scientific calculators and programmer's calculators can be programmed to automate complex and frequently used series of calculations and those inaccessible from the keyboard.
For many graphing calculators, including TI and Casio models, users can write programs on a computer and upload them to the calculator."Editing And Transferring Programs Using TI Connect™ and TI Connect CE Software". Texas Instruments. Retrieved 2025-12-12."Connecting the Calculator to a Computer". Casio. Retrieved 2025-12-12. Common tools for this process include PC link cables and corresponding software for the specific calculator, configurable text editors or hex editors, and specialized programming environments supporting various languages on the computer side.
Earlier calculators used magnetic cards and similar media for program storage; however, increased onboard memory has made internal storage the prevailing method. Some modern calculators also support external memory cards.