Advertisement

Unit circle calculator

A unit circle has radius one and centre (0,0). Enter an angle or a simple multiple of π, such as pi/6, -3*pi/4 or 2pi.

Calculator

x = cos θ
0.86602540
y = sin θ
0.50000000
Entered angle
30
Coterminal angle in [0°, 360°)
30
Reference angle
30
Quadrant or axis
I
Tangent y/x
0.5773502691896256
Standard angles and exact coordinates
DegreesRadianscos θsin θ
0010
30π/6√3/21/2
45π/4√2/2√2/2
60π/31/2√3/2
90π/201
1202π/3-1/2√3/2
1353π/4-√2/2√2/2
1505π/6-√3/21/2
180π-10
2107π/6-√3/2-1/2
2255π/4-√2/2-√2/2
2404π/3-1/2-√3/2
2703π/20-1
3005π/31/2-√3/2
3157π/4√2/2-√2/2
33011π/6√3/2-1/2
3602π10

Advertisement

How this calculator works

The endpoint of a radius at angle θ has coordinates (cos θ, sin θ). Dividing the angle by full turns gives a coterminal angle between 0° and 360°. The coordinate signs identify the quadrant, while their absolute values give the reference angle to the horizontal axis. On an axis, this tool reports reference angle 0° or 90° as appropriate. The table keeps common radical values exact rather than replacing them with decimals. π-text mode accepts a bounded multiple-and-divisor syntax, not arbitrary code or algebra.

Formula

x=cos θ; y=sin θ; x²+y²=1; tan θ=y/x when x≠0. One full turn is 2π radians or 360°. Reference angle=atan2(|y|,|x|).

Worked example

At 5π/6 radians, the reference angle is π/6, the quadrant is II and the coordinates are (-√3/2, 1/2). At -π/2 the endpoint is (0,-1), on the negative y-axis.

Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

Why are coordinates dimensionless?

The circle’s radius is one unit, so cosine and sine represent the coordinates divided by that radius. They are ratios.

Can I enter a negative π angle?

Yes. For example -3*pi/4 turns clockwise to quadrant III and is coterminal with 5π/4.

Can I type pi/0 or a general expression?

No. A zero divisor is invalid, and forms such as sin(pi/6) or pi+1 are outside the accepted syntax. Use a numeric angle for other values.

Sources

Advertisement