Quick verdict
- The cleanest, most intuitive interface of any graphing calculator here.
- Color screen, rechargeable over USB-C, and Python built in.
- Approved for the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams.
- Fewer teachers know it, so classroom help is limited.
- Battery is rated in hours of active use, so charge it regularly.
Specs
| Spec | NumWorks Graphing Calculator |
|---|---|
| First released | 2017 (hardware revised since) |
| Display | 2.8" color LCD, 320 × 240, backlit |
| Power | Rechargeable, USB-C |
| Battery life | ~20 hours of continuous use |
| Charge time | ~6 hours from empty |
| Programming | MicroPython |
| CAS | No |
| Exam mode | Yes, with presets + press-to-test |
| Exams | SAT, ACT, AP, IB |
| Price | ~$100 new |
What makes it different
NumWorks is a French company that set out to rethink the graphing calculator. Instead of decades-old menus, you get a home screen of apps: Calculation, Grapher, Statistics, Probability, Python, and more. Arrow keys and an OK button get you everywhere.
It feels closer to a phone than a TI-84. For a lot of students, that alone makes it easier to learn.
Specs that matter
- 2.8-inch, 320 × 240 color screen, the same resolution as the TI-84 Plus CE.
- Rechargeable battery over USB-C, rated around 20 hours of continuous use. That's plenty for a school day, but it is not a "charge it once a month" device.
- MicroPython built in. Students can write scripts for anything from quick math helpers to small games.
- Software updates through a web browser, so the calculator gets new features over time.
The open-source angle
NumWorks published its software source code, which made it a favorite with tinkerers and programming-curious students. The community has built tools, scripts, and add-ons around it, including alternative firmware like Omega and Upsilon.
One honest caveat: "open source" comes with an asterisk. The code has always carried a non-commercial Creative Commons license, and in 2021 NumWorks stopped allowing redistribution of the calculator software. The reason was exam security: a modified firmware could fake the exam-mode light. You can still read the code and suggest changes, but it is not free software in the strict sense.
For a student, none of this matters day to day. For a tinkerer, check the current rules before you plan to flash anything.
Exam approval
NumWorks says it is approved for the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB Diploma exams, and many state tests. It has an Exam Mode with presets for specific tests, plus a press-to-test mode that disables chosen features.
To leave exam mode, you have to connect it to a computer. That's by design, so a student can't quietly switch it off mid-test.
Pricing
A single calculator is typically about $100. That puts it below most TI-84 Plus CE prices and above the Casio fx-9750GIII.
vs. TI and Casio
- vs. TI-84 Plus CE: NumWorks is easier to learn, has USB-C, and is usually cheaper. The TI wins on classroom familiarity and battery life between charges.
- vs. Casio fx-9750GIII: NumWorks has a much better color screen and a nicer interface. The Casio is cheaper and runs on AAA batteries.
Our take
For a student who learns by tinkering, and whose teacher doesn't require a TI, we'd pick the NumWorks over a new TI-84 Plus CE. It costs less, it's easier to learn alone, and its Python app is the best of the calculators we cover.
If the teacher teaches on a TI-84, we'd flip that: buy a used TI-84 Plus CE and save the NumWorks for the kid who will actually explore it.
Yes, for self-starters who want a modern tool
NumWorks is the calculator we'd pick for a student who learns by poking around. It is easier to figure out than a TI-84 and costs about the same or less. The catch is the classroom: if the teacher teaches with a TI-84 and the student needs step-by-step help, stick with TI.
Where to buy
Prices change often. Check the current price before buying. Some links are affiliate links, which never change our verdicts.
FAQ
Is NumWorks allowed on the SAT and ACT?
NumWorks says it is approved for the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams. Use its Exam Mode on test day.
Is NumWorks better than a TI-84?
It's easier to learn and has USB-C and Python built in. The TI-84 has more classroom support and longer battery life between charges.
How long does the NumWorks battery last?
About 20 hours of continuous use, enough for a school day or more. A full charge takes about 6 hours.
How do you get a NumWorks out of exam mode?
Connect it to a computer and confirm the exit. That's intentional, so it can't be switched off during a test.
