# Babylonian Numbers Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/math/babylonian-numbers/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The Babylonian numbers calculator converts a whole number into the Babylonian sexagesimal (base-60) system, writing each place with cuneiform wedges for 1 and 10.

## Inputs

- Number

## Results

- Base-60 digits
- Cuneiform
- Check

## Formula

```
Base 60: n = d₀ + d₁·60 + d₂·60² + …,  each digit 1–59 = tens wedges 𒌋 + units wedges 𒁹
```

## Explanation

The Babylonians counted in base 60 over 4,000 years ago. We still use it in 60 minutes per hour, 60 seconds per minute and 360° in a circle. Each digit was written with just two symbols.

### How to use the Babylonian Numbers Calculator

- **Number**

Everything is calculated in your browser, so results appear instantly and nothing you type is sent to a server.

### How it works

Enter a whole number. The calculator finds the base-60 digits and draws each with ten-wedges and unit-wedges.

## Worked example

Inputs — Number: 4000.

Results — **Base-60 digits = 1, 6, 40**; Cuneiform = 60²: 𒁹 (1)
60¹: 𒁹𒁹𒁹𒁹𒁹𒁹 (6)
60⁰: 𒌋𒌋𒌋𒌋 (40); Check = 1 × 60² + 6 × 60¹ + 40 × 60⁰ = 4000.

## Key terms

- **Sexagesimal**: Base 60.

## FAQ

**Why base 60?**
60 has many divisors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30), which makes fractions easy.

**Did the Babylonians have zero?**
Late on, a placeholder sign was used inside numbers.

**How is 3,600 written?**
1 in the 60² place: 1,0,0.

**Where do we still see base 60?**
Time and angle measurement.


## Sources

- [Wolfram MathWorld – Sexagesimal](https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Sexagesimal.html)