These are the best calculators for the SAT in 2026, and every one is allowed under College Board’s current policy, which now bans CAS calculators like the TI-89. The digital SAT also has the Desmos calculator built in, so the right choice is whichever you’ll be fastest with on test day.
Our picks at a glance:
- Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE – Best Overall
- Texas Instruments TI-84 Evo – Newest TI-84
- Casio fx-9750GIII – Best Budget Graphing Calculator
- Texas Instruments TI-34 MultiView – Best Scientific Calculator
- Casio fx-115ES Plus (2nd Edition) – Best Budget Scientific Calculator
Still preparing? See the best SAT prep books and best SAT prep courses.
Do You Need a Calculator for the SAT?
Not necessarily. The digital SAT has the Desmos calculator built into the Bluebook app, with graphing and scientific modes, and you can use it for the entire Math section. If you already know Desmos, it’s a strong option, and you can practice on the free Desmos graphing calculator or in Bluebook’s practice tests.
You can still bring your own calculator, and many students do because they’re faster on the buttons they know. It’s also a backup: College Board says that if your handheld calculator fails, you can keep going with Desmos.
Best Graphing Calculators for the SAT
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
The TI-84 Plus CE is the graphing calculator most high school math classes use, so tutorials and class notes almost always assume it. It has a full-color backlit display and MathPrint, which shows fractions and expressions the way they look in a textbook, and it converts decimals to fractions in a keystroke. It has no CAS, so it’s permitted on the SAT, PSAT and ACT.
- Color backlit display with MathPrint
- Converts decimals to fractions
- Allowed on the SAT, PSAT and ACT
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 and a simpler, icon-based layout, and that it’s approved for the SAT, ACT, AP and IB exams. It usually costs less than the TI-84 Plus CE, though there are fewer tutorials for it so far.
- Newest TI-84 model
- Faster processor and larger graphing area (TI’s figures)
- Approved for the SAT, ACT, 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, with a natural textbook display and Python programming. It replaced the fx-9750GII that older guides recommend, and it’s allowed on the SAT and the ACT.
- Budget graphing calculator
- Natural textbook display
- Python programming
Best Scientific Calculators for the SAT
If you don’t need graphing, especially since Desmos is built in, a scientific calculator handles the arithmetic, fractions and statistics the SAT asks for at a fraction of the price.
Texas Instruments TI-34 MultiView
The TI-34 MultiView has a four-line display, so you can scroll back and edit earlier entries, and MathPrint mode for fractions, roots, exponents and pi. It also has table and fraction features that help with SAT function questions.
- Four-line display with scrolling and editing
- MathPrint mode
- Table and fraction features
Casio fx-115ES Plus (2nd Edition)
Another scientific calculator that is not only budget-friendly but is designed specifically for high school math class.
The Casio fx-115ES Plus (2nd Edition) packs more than 280 functions, including fractions, statistics and linear regression, into a natural textbook display, and runs on solar power with a battery backup.
- 280+ functions
- Natural textbook display
- Solar power with battery backup
Calculators Not Allowed on the SAT
College Board’s calculator policy now bans calculators with a computer algebra system (CAS), which can manipulate algebra symbolically. That includes:
- Texas Instruments: all TI-89 and TI-92 models, the TI-Nspire CAS and TI-Nspire CX II CAS, and any model with “CAS” in its name (non-CAS TI-Nspire models are allowed)
- HP: HP Prime, HP 48GII, and all 40G, 49G and 50G models
- Casio: ClassPad 300, 330 and 400, ClassPad II (fx-CP400), ClassPad fx-CG500, Algebra fx 2.0, and all CFX-9970G models
Also banned: calculators with QWERTY keyboards, wireless, Bluetooth or cellular connections, cameras or recording, pen input or paper tape, plus tablets, laptops and phone calculator apps. If your calculator can solve equations symbolically or has programs that do algebra, remove them before test day.
SAT Calculator Rules
- You can use a calculator for the whole Math section, but not during Reading and Writing, when it goes under your desk.
- Remove any stored documents and any programs with algebra functionality.
- Turn off all sound, and use battery power only, with no power cords.
- Don’t share calculators.
- Four-function calculators are allowed but not recommended, because most don’t follow order of operations.
How to Use a Graphing Calculator on the SAT
- Check graphs and intersections. Enter both equations and find where they cross, instead of solving a system by hand.
- Convert decimals to fractions to match answer choices quickly.
- Use absolute value and tables to test answer choices on function questions.
- Skip it on easy questions. Some Math questions are faster without a calculator, and College Board says so too.
Practice with the same calculator you’ll use on test day, on the official SAT practice tests.
SAT Calculator FAQ
Is the TI-89 allowed on the SAT?
No. College Board’s SAT Suite calculator policy now prohibits calculators with a computer algebra system (CAS), including every TI-89 and TI-92 model and the TI-Nspire CAS. That applies to the PSAT tests too.
Do you need your own calculator for the SAT?
No. The Desmos graphing and scientific calculators are built into the Bluebook app for the whole Math section. Bring your own permitted calculator only if you’re faster with it.
Can you use a calculator on the whole SAT?
On the whole Math section, yes: both modules. You can’t use one during Reading and Writing, when your calculator has to stay under your desk.
Is the TI-84 Plus CE allowed on the SAT?
Yes. It has no CAS, so it’s permitted. So are non-CAS TI-Nspire models; only the CAS versions are banned.
What’s Next?
Taking the PSAT or ACT too? See the PSAT-approved calculators and the best ACT calculators. And before test day, check what to bring to the SAT.