Most high school students need a graphing calculator, and the TI-84 Plus CE is the safest pick because teachers and textbooks use it. Choose the TI-84 Evo if you want the newest model or built in Python. If you are only in Algebra 1 or Geometry, a TI-30XS MultiView scientific calculator is enough for now.
Our picks
These three cover nearly every student. The quiz above picks one of them based on your answers.
| Calculator | Best for | Exams |
|---|---|---|
| TI-84 Plus CE | Algebra 2 through AP Statistics and Calculus, and intro college courses | Approved for the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB |
| TI-84 Evo | New buyers who want the fastest TI-84, a larger graphing area, and Python | Approved for the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB |
| TI-30XS MultiView | Algebra 1, Geometry, and science classes that do not need graphs | Allowed on the SAT and ACT, but AP Calculus needs a graphing calculator |
The full comparison of the two graphing models is in the TI-84 Evo vs TI-84 Plus CE guide.
How to pick the right calculator
- Check your class supply list. If it names a model, buy that one so your notes match your screen.
- Check your exams. The SAT and ACT ban CAS calculators, so avoid any model with CAS in its name.
- Decide how long you will use it. A graphing calculator bought for Algebra 2 usually lasts through college.
- Compare prices during back to school sales, when both TI-84 models are often discounted.
Not sure your calculator is allowed on a specific test? The exam calculator checker covers the SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and GRE.
Graphing or scientific?
A scientific calculator handles arithmetic, fractions, powers, roots, and trig. A graphing calculator adds graphs, tables, lists, statistics, and the probability functions used from Algebra 2 onward.
You will need graphing once your class covers functions and their graphs, regressions, or normal distributions. AP Calculus requires a graphing calculator on some parts of the exam, and AP Statistics depends on functions like normalcdf.
You can try graphing before you buy anything. The online graphing calculator and the free TI-84 calculator online run in your browser.
Why we skip CAS calculators for high school
CAS calculators, such as the TI-Nspire CX II CAS, solve equations with letters and simplify algebra for you. That sounds useful, but the SAT and ACT both ban them, so you would need a second calculator for those tests.
AP exams do allow CAS models. If you are heading into engineering and have finished your SAT or ACT, a CAS calculator can make sense later.
FAQ
What calculator do I need for high school?
A TI-84 Plus CE or TI-84 Evo covers every high school math class from Algebra 2 through AP Calculus and AP Statistics. Both are approved for the SAT and ACT. If you are in Algebra 1 or Geometry now, a scientific calculator works until you reach Algebra 2.
Do I need a graphing calculator for Algebra 1?
Usually not. Most Algebra 1 classes need only a scientific calculator such as the TI-30XS MultiView. Check your teacher's supply list first, since some classes graph lines on a TI-84. If you will take Algebra 2 next year, buying a graphing calculator now saves a second purchase.
Should I get the TI-84 Plus CE or the TI-84 Evo?
Get the Evo if you want built in Python, more speed, and USB-C charging. Get the Plus CE if your teacher teaches on a Plus CE, since its menus will match class notes exactly. Both handle the same courses and are approved for the same exams.
Is a TI-Nspire better than a TI-84?
It is different, not better for most students. The TI-Nspire CX II uses documents, a touchpad, and its own menus, while most teachers and tutorials use the TI-84. The non-CAS Nspire is allowed on the SAT and ACT, but the CAS version is banned on both.
Can I use a scientific calculator on the SAT?
Yes. The SAT allows scientific calculators, and the Bluebook testing app also includes a Desmos graphing calculator on every Math question. A graphing handheld is still faster for many students, especially if you practiced with one, but it is not required to take the test.