A PowerToys Command Palette extension that evaluates expressions using the Qalculate engine (qalc).
Type math, combine mixed units in one expression, convert the result, solve equations, and copy answers — without leaving the launcher.
Unlike a simple unit converter, PowerQalc lets you do real math with incompatible units and convert only when you want. Add miles to kilometers, multiply speed by time, combine feet and inches — then convert to whatever you need.
It also ships with a huge library of built-in physical, chemical, and mathematical constants — far beyond what a typical calculator offers. Use them by name in any expression, with automatic unit handling.
- Fallback results in Command Palette's global search — type
2+2or5 miles + 10 kmwithout opening the extension - Live evaluation as you type (with debounce);
ans()and variables persist for the session - Usage & help appears once in history (scrolls down as you save results); remove it like any other entry
- Calculation history when you copy (Enter) or save (Ctrl+Enter) — not on every keystroke
- Copy results to the clipboard
- Variables and custom functions can be saved and used
- Built-in constants: Hundreds of physical, chemical, and mathematical constants — use them by name with automatic units. Examples: FineStructure, planck to eV s, proton_mass to MeV/c^2, PlanckLength to nm, k_B to J/K, SpeedOfLight to mph.
- Session memory: ans() reuses the previous result; variables persist for the session. Solve equations like 10 mph * x = 20 mi to min.
- More: algebra, calculus, currency, dates, trigonometry, percentages (240 * 15%), and simple conversions like 100 miles to km.
- For a complete list of features visit https://qalculate.github.io/manual/qalc.html
A few things to try — each shows a different capability:
| What it shows | Example | Result (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed units | 5 miles + 10 km |
18 km |
| Session & variables | ans+1 · B:=10 ft then B to cm |
Prior result; store as B, not x |
| Solve for x, convert result | 10 mph * x = 20 mi to min |
x = 120 min |
| Percentages | 240 * 15% |
36 |
| Algebra | x^2 + 2x = 0 |
x = 0 or x = -2 |
| Named constants | planck to eV s |
Planck constant in eV·s |
| Exotic units | 1 ly to km |
~9.5 trillion km |
Qalculate knows hundreds of constants (FineStructure, proton_mass, SpeedOfLight, …) and units from everyday measures to light years and electron-volts — use them in any expression.
- Windows 10/11 with PowerToys (Command Palette enabled)
PowerQalc bundles the Qalculate CLI (qalc) — no separate Qalculate install needed.
Install from the Microsoft Store, then enable Command Palette in PowerToys settings. Open Command Palette and search for PowerQalc.
After installing or updating, run Reload in Command Palette if the extension does not appear right away.
Type an expression in Command Palette's main search box (for example 2+2 or 100 miles to km) and PowerQalc appears as a fallback result — Enter copies the answer. You can still open PowerQalc for history and session variables. If the fallback does not show, enable it under PowerToys → Command Palette → Extensions → PowerQalc.
For quicker access to the full page, assign a short alias in that same Extensions page — for example, q lets you open it with q then Space.
MIT — see LICENSE. Bundles the Qalculate CLI (qalc), licensed under GPL-2.0. License files ship in qalc/licenses/ and qalc/ThirdPartyNotices.txt inside the MSIX.