conversion calculator

[timelessbeing]

Does anybody know a good conversion calculator app for MacOS?
Something that can convert measurement units AND currency.

Ideally shows both numbers simultaneously (the "from" and "to") and allows entry into both
Unit selection should be very visual, quick, and user friendly.

I know the built in calculator is able to do it, but it's very clunky.

 

[casperes1996]

I always just use spotlight. Cmd+space to invoke it, write in whatever you want “5cm in inches” and it tells you the answer. If you’re converting to your system’s locale native units or a very common one you often don’t need to specify a “to” either.

For converting binary, hex and octal to/from decimal or anything like that I use my own menu bar program, HexHelper.

 

[galad]

PCalc maybe

 

[timelessbeing]

@casperes1996 that might work ok for me, but this is for an older generation. It has to be a dedicated app and like I said ... as visual and user friendly as possible.

He's coming from the windows world. And the built in windows calculator is quite good.

 

[bogdanw]

You can find some free apps in the App Store:
Duno - Handy Unit Converter by Tommi Urtti https://apps.apple.com/app/duno-handy-unit-converter/id1483010879
GetRate - Currency Exchange Rates by Strelka Limited https://apps.apple.com/app/getrate-currency-exchange-rates/id1085850238

 

[Sarah_Baker]

I always just use spotlight. Cmd+space to invoke it, write in whatever you want “5cm in inches” and it tells you the answer. If you’re converting to your system’s locale native units or a very common one you often don’t need to specify a “to” either.

For converting binary, hex and octal to/from decimal or anything like that I use my own menu bar program, HexHelper.

I like this answer, I did not know you can use Spotlight for such things. I personally use Siri to convert units. But I guess your method is clearly better as it is way faster and more precise.

 

[AlmightyKang]

The built in calculator in macOS does all those conversions. Use the Convert menu!

Turn on paper tape and hit = to write the answers to the log.

 

[timelessbeing]

The built in calculator in macOS does all those conversions...

Please read more carefully. I know how calculator works. I already said it's not a solution.
It needs to be simple, visual and easy.

There are many great free options on iOS, but I haven't been able to find anything similar on MacOS yet.

 

[timelessbeing]

Duno

That requires using two apps, when you only really need one.

 

[timelessbeing]

PCalc maybe

This looks promising. The older version 3.9 is free so we'll try this out. Thanks.

 

[gregmac19]

Perhaps Numi will fulfill your desires: https://numi.app

I found it on: https://macmenubar.com

 

[theorist9]

I always just use spotlight. Cmd+space to invoke it, write in whatever you want “5cm in inches” and it tells you the answer. If you’re converting to your system’s locale native units or a very common one you often don’t need to specify a “to” either.

For converting binary, hex and octal to/from decimal or anything like that I use my own menu bar program, HexHelper.

I don't think Spotlight does currency conversions, which the OP wants. I just tried "convert $5 to euros" and it didn't respond. I thus use Google or Mathematica for that.

 

[theorist9]

I got curious and did some searching myself. How about this one? It seems to have the kind of clean, elegant interface you're looking for.

Even though I wouldn't use this personally (I use Mathematica for nearly all my calculation needs), I have to say it really is visually pleasing to look at, and seems like a perfect representation of Apple-style design: simple, super-clean, and ultra-modern. Compared to the calculator app, it's like they out-Appled Apple.

Though I don't know if you can edit the "results" section on the right, and I don't know how well it actually works. But you can do the free trial and find out for yourself.

Soulver 3 - Notepad Calculator App for Mac, iPad & iPhone

Soulver is a notepad calculator app for Mac, iPad & iPhone. It supports currency & unit conversions, dates and times, percentages, time zones, variables and more.

soulver.app

 

[timelessbeing]

Perhaps Numi will fulfill your desires: https://numi.app

I'm looking for something that is the exact opposite of this.

Something more along the lines of the screenshot I showed above

 

[timelessbeing]

Soulver 3 - Notepad Calculator App for Mac, iPad & iPhone

Soulver is a notepad calculator app for Mac, iPad & iPhone. It supports currency & unit conversions, dates and times, percentages, time zones, variables and more.

soulver.app

No, none of these that require a lot of typing.
This is nothing like the interface I showed.

 

[theorist9]

No, none of these that require a lot of typing.

OK, that's a new requirement you didn't specify in your original post.

This is nothing like the interface I showed.

Yeah, I did look at your screenshots, but then I just gave up on them, because I couldn't understand how those calculators worked based on those screenshots, and you didn't explain them.

But do they work like this (using the screenshot below as an example)?: You first customize is the interface so that it displays just those conversions that you do most often. Then once that's done, if you want to convert from anything to anything else, you just enter a number on the right side, and all the other numbers, also on the right side, will auto-update to show the proper conversions. For instance, in the screenshot below, if you entered 300 to the right of CAD, then all the other numbers would auto-update to show the equivalent amounts in their respective currencies.

Is that right?

In any event, it sounds like you have very specific requirements, which is perfectly fine. Given this, have you tried searching Apple's app store for something that might work for you?

 

[AlmightyKang]

Please read more carefully. I know how calculator works. I already said it's not a solution.
It needs to be simple, visual and easy.

There are many great free options on iOS, but I haven't been able to find anything similar on MacOS yet.

Completely fair.

I've got to ask the question here, posed correctly then. I understand what your requirement is, but not why your requirement is that.

Want to make sure this is not an X-Y problem i.e. you're asking about the solution rather than the problem you are trying to solve.

I mean hypothetically are you using this for display or teaching or do you need to screenshot it or what? If it's teaching you probably don't want to use this at all as it's a pretty hefty violation of what I'd call good mathematical communication. Also with respect to currency conversion, do you need an audit point etc for operating in a regulated market? Or are you just wanting this for arbitrary reasons? So many unanswered questions if we look at just the solution and not the problem.

 

[casperes1996]

I don't think Spotlight does currency conversions, which the OP wants. I just tried "convert $5 to euros" and it didn't respond. I thus use Google or Mathematica for that.

I use Spotlight for converting units all the time, including currencies. Yes it can. It doesn't do natural language processing of your query though, so, ironically, the word "convert" confused it.

USD to native currency is as simple as:

And to Euros:

The word "to" is optional. You can just write $5 EUR. It also works to fully write out "euros"

Or even a different phrasing like:

It honestly accepts a lot of phrasings, as long as the currency is the first thing it sees