Half-Life Calculator

Calculate radioactive decay and remaining quantity

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Common isotopes:
Enter values to calculate decay

Half-Life Formulas

The amount of substance remaining after time t:

N(t) = N0 x (1/2)^(t / t1/2)

The decay constant (lambda):

lambda = ln(2) / t1/2 = 0.693 / t1/2

Time to reach a given remaining amount:

t = t1/2 x log2(N0 / N)

Common Radioactive Isotopes

IsotopeHalf-LifeUse / Significance
Carbon-145,730 yearsRadiocarbon dating
Uranium-2384.5 billion yearsRock dating, nuclear fuel
Radium-2261,600 yearsRadiation therapy (historical)
Iodine-1318.02 daysThyroid treatment
Cesium-13730.17 yearsNuclear fallout marker
Tritium (H-3)12.3 yearsWatch dials, fusion research
Cobalt-605.27 yearsMedical sterilization
Polonium-210138 daysStatic eliminator

Privacy & Limitations

  • All calculations run entirely in your browser -- nothing is sent to any server.
  • Results are computed using standard formulas and should be verified for critical applications.

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Half-Life Calculator FAQ

What is Half-Life Calculator?

Half-Life Calculator is a free engineering & physics tool that helps you Calculate radioactive decay, remaining quantity, and elapsed half-lives.

How do I use Half-Life Calculator?

Enter your input values, review the calculated output, and adjust inputs until you reach the result you need. The result updates in your browser.

Is Half-Life Calculator private?

Yes. Calculations run locally in your browser. Inputs are not uploaded to a server by default, and refreshing the page clears session data.

Does Half-Life Calculator require an account or installation?

No. You can use this tool directly in your browser without sign-up or software installation.

How accurate are results from Half-Life Calculator?

This tool applies standard formulas or deterministic processing logic for estimates. For medical, legal, tax, or investment decisions, verify with a qualified professional.

Can I save or share outputs from Half-Life Calculator?

You can bookmark this page and copy outputs manually. Results are not persisted in your account and are typically not embedded in the URL.

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