iOS 18 brings significant improvements to core iPhone apps, including Messages, Photos, and Maps. But one of the most useful improvements is your iPhone’s built-in Calculator.
The Calculator app used to just be a calculator (albeit a simple, scientific one), but in iOS 18 it also doubles as a conversion tool for converting units and currencies, making questions like “can I afford to spend $100 on these shoes?” easier to answer.
For example, if you want to know how much five British pounds is in US dollars, simply enter the number 5 in the number field (as if you were entering a math sum), tap the calculator icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, select the Convert currency button, and then choose the currency of your choice. Et voilà! Now you know that £5 is too much to spend on an Iced Matcha Latte from Blank Street Coffee (even if you Are in London).
To convert units, tap on the currency acronym and scroll down to find the unit you want. Repeat that step for the bottom number and you’re done.
Here’s a TikTok that visually explains the above:
@techradar
♬ original sound – Ny Breaking
By the way, the Calculator app now also has a toggle for Math Notes (respectfully branded Maths Notes in the UK), which lets you graph equations, assign variables, plot graphs, and draw diagrams. Your iPhone solves these equations inline when you write or type an equals sign, so in addition to being a currency converter for your pocket, the iPhone Calculator also doubles as a handy homework assistant in iOS 18.
For more explanations about iOS 18, check out our guide on how to use iOS 18’s Locked and Hidden Apps features – and why you should . Or, if you haven’t downloaded iOS 18 yet, our guide on how to download iOS 18 might be of help.