Math & Scientific
Derivative Calculator
Derivative — derivative Calculator estimates the derivative numerically with a central difference at the point you enter. This page runs that same calculation on your numbers, in your browser: no signup, no uploads, nothing stored.
Enter your expression in x and evaluate at x = and Derivative Calculator works out the derivative value with a numerical difference at the point you choose — fast, free and private, with no sign-up or uploads.
About this calculator
Derivative Calculator estimates the derivative numerically with a central difference at the point you enter. It matters when you need the exact relationship checked quickly rather than worked through by hand. Here is the calculation on real numbers: The derivative of f(x) = x³ is f′(x) = 3x²; at x = 2 that is 3 × 4 = 12 . For your own figures, use the calculator above — same method, your inputs, computed on-device.
How to use
- Type a function of x, for example x^2 + 3x + 2.
- Enter the point x at which you want the slope.
- Press Calculate to estimate the derivative there.
- Read f'(x), the instantaneous rate of change at that point.
Why use Derivative Calculator
Fast
Calculations run in your browser. No round trip to a server.
Private
Your inputs never leave your device. Nothing is uploaded.
Free
No signup, no paywall, no ads-in-results, no watermarks.
Accurate
Numerical estimates, with the method shown in each result.
Mobile-ready
Optimised for phones, tablets, and desktops alike.
Transparent
Honest disclaimers wherever browser limits or regional rules apply.
Common uses
Derivative in tutoring and teaching sessions
Derivative in competitive-exam practice
Use it for homework and assignment checks
Use it for verifying answers from a textbook
Use it for double-checking a spreadsheet result
Use it for quick mental-math cross-checks
Technical notes
Derivative Calculator estimates the derivative numerically with a central difference at the point you enter.
Inputs are taken exactly as entered, so check for typos before trusting an answer.
All arithmetic runs in your browser using double-precision floating point, so extreme inputs may show tiny rounding differences.
FAQ
Is this a symbolic or a numerical derivative?
It is numerical. The derivative is estimated with a central-difference formula at the point you choose, not by deriving a symbolic expression.
Which functions can I use?
You can use +, minus, *, /, ^ and functions such as sin, cos, tan, exp, ln, sqrt and abs, with x as the variable.
Why is the answer slightly off from the exact value?
Numerical differentiation introduces a tiny approximation error, so the estimate usually matches the exact slope to several decimal places.
Does the Derivative Calculator send my data to a server?
No. The Derivative Calculator runs entirely in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded, stored, or shared.
Worked example
The derivative of f(x) = x³ is f′(x) = 3x²; at x = 2 that is 3 × 4 = 12.