These are the best ACT calculators for 2026, and every one is allowed under ACT’s calculator policy. If you test online you also get the Desmos graphing calculator on screen, but most students do better with a handheld they already know well.
Our top pick: the TI-84 Plus CE, the most widely used graphing calculator in high school math and permitted on the ACT, SAT and AP exams.
Still studying? See the best ACT prep books and best ACT prep courses.
Do You Need a Calculator on the ACT?
Calculators are allowed only on the Math test, and ACT says every problem can be solved without one. In practice, a calculator you know well saves time on arithmetic, graphing and checking answers, especially now that the Enhanced ACT gives you 50 minutes for 45 math questions.
If you take the ACT online, the Desmos graphing calculator is built into the test. You can still bring your own, and testing staff don’t provide calculators, so if you’re taking the paper test you must bring one if you want one.
The 5 Best ACT Calculators
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
The TI-84 Plus CE is the safest choice for most students: it’s the graphing calculator most math teachers use, so the tutorials, class notes and prep-book walkthroughs you’ll find almost always assume it. It has a full-color backlit display and MathPrint, which shows fractions and expressions the way they look in your textbook, and it converts decimals to fractions in a keystroke.
- Color backlit display with MathPrint
- Converts decimals to fractions
- Works from pre-algebra through AP Calculus and AP Statistics
Texas Instruments TI-84 Evo
The TI-84 Evo is Texas Instruments’ newest TI-84. TI says it’s three times faster than earlier models, with 50% more graphing space, a simpler keypad and an icon-based home screen, and that it’s approved for the ACT, SAT, AP and IB exams. It usually costs less than the TI-84 Plus CE. Because it’s new, there are fewer tutorials written for it yet, so practice with it well before test day.
- Newest TI-84 model
- Faster processor and larger graphing area (TI’s figures)
- Approved for the ACT, SAT, AP and IB, according to TI
Casio fx-9750GIII
A more budget-friendly high resolution graphing calculator that is easy to navigate with its icon based menu and large display.
The Casio fx-9750GIII is the best graphing calculator for less money. It has a natural textbook display, graphing and statistics, and Python programming, and it’s permitted on the ACT. It replaced the fx-9750GII, which you’ll still see in older guides. Taking the SAT too? See the best calculators for the SAT.
- Graphing calculator at a budget price
- Natural textbook display
- Python programming
Casio fx-115ES Plus (2nd Edition)
Another scientific calculator that is not only budget-friendly but is designed specifically for high school math class.
If you don’t need graphing, the Casio fx-115ES Plus (2nd Edition) is the scientific calculator to get. It has more than 280 functions and a natural textbook display, and it shows repeating decimals and handles GCD, LCM and remainders, which come in handy on ACT number questions.
- 280+ functions
- Natural textbook display
- Solar power with battery backup
Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS
A budget-friendly alternative to graphing calculators, this 2-line scientific calculator by Texas Instruments is still effective for the ACT.
The TI-30X IIS is the cheapest calculator on this list and covers everything the ACT needs from a scientific calculator: a two-line display, fraction conversions, and one- and two-variable statistics. It runs on solar and battery power.
- Two-line display
- Fraction and statistics functions
- Solar and battery powered
ACT Calculator Policy
These rules come from ACT’s calculator policy. Four-function, scientific and graphing calculators are allowed unless they’re on the banned list, and accessible calculators (talking or Braille) need approval in advance.
Banned: calculators with a computer algebra system (CAS)
- Texas Instruments: all TI-89 and TI-92 models, and the TI-Nspire CAS (the non-CAS TI-Nspire is allowed)
- HP: HP Prime, HP 48GII, and all HP 40G, 49G and 50G models
- Casio: fx-CP400 (ClassPad 400), ClassPad 300/330, Algebra fx 2.0, and all CFX-9970G models
Allowed only if you modify them
- Calculators that hold programs or documents: remove all documents and any CAS programs
- Paper-tape calculators: remove the tape
- Calculators that make noise: turn the sound off
- Calculators with an infrared port: cover it completely with heavy opaque tape
- Calculators with power cords: remove the cords
Never allowed
- Phones, tablets, laptops and calculators built into communication devices
- Electronic writing pads and pen-input devices
- Calculators with QWERTY-style letter keys
You also can’t share a calculator during the test.
ACT Calculator FAQ
Do you need a calculator for the ACT?
No. ACT says every math problem can be solved without one, and calculators are allowed only on the Math test. Most students still work faster with one, so bring a permitted calculator you know well.
Is there a calculator on the online ACT?
Yes. If you take the ACT online, the Desmos graphing calculator is built into the testing platform for the Math section. You can still bring your own permitted calculator instead.
Which calculators are not allowed on the ACT?
Any calculator with a computer algebra system (CAS): all TI-89 and TI-92 models and the TI-Nspire CAS; the HP Prime, HP 48GII and HP 40G, 49G and 50G models; and Casio’s fx-CP400, ClassPad 300/330, Algebra fx 2.0 and CFX-9970G models. Phones, tablets, laptops and calculators with QWERTY keyboards aren’t allowed either.
Is the TI-84 Plus CE allowed on the ACT?
Yes. The TI-84 Plus CE has no CAS, so it’s permitted. So is the non-CAS TI-Nspire; only the CAS version is banned.
The Bottom Line
The best ACT calculator is one you already know, so buy early and use it in class until it’s second nature. For most students that’s the TI-84 Plus CE; for a lower price, the Casio fx-9750GIII or, if you don’t need graphing, the Casio fx-115ES Plus.
What else should you bring on test day? See our ACT test-day checklist.