About this calculator
Indian textbooks sometimes call it the modulus.
How to use it
- Enter a number.
- Optionally enter a second number.
- Read the results.
The formula
|x| = x if x ≥ 0, and −x if x < 0
- |a − b|
- distance between a and b
Worked example
−17.5 and 4
- |−17.5| = 17.5.
- Distance between −17.5 and 4 = |−17.5 − 4| = 21.5.
What the result means
Absolute values are always zero or positive.
Assumptions
- Real numbers.
Limitations
- None.
Frequently asked questions
What is the absolute value of −5?
5.
Can absolute value be negative?
No.
What is the distance between −3 and 7?
10.
Last reviewed on 3 October 2026. Found a mistake? Tell us.