🔬

Mathway

Solve math problems instantly with step-by-step solutions

Free | Freemium | Paid | Enterprise ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.4/5 🔬 Research & Learning 🕒 Updated
Visit Mathway ↗ Official website
Quick Verdict

Mathway is an online math problem solver that returns numeric and symbolic answers across algebra, calculus, statistics and chemistry, aimed at students and educators who need fast worked solutions; basic answers are free while step-by-step explanations require a subscription (monthly or annual). It’s best for learners who want quick verification and worked steps behind a modest paywall.

Mathway is a web and mobile math problem solver that accepts typed or photo input and returns worked answers for topics from basic arithmetic through calculus and chemistry. Its primary capability is parsing equations and word problems to produce final answers plus optional step-by-step solutions. The key differentiator is a camera input combined with topic selection (algebra, calculus, statistics, chemistry, graphing) that serves students, tutors, and STEM educators. Mathway sits in the Research & Learning category and offers a free answer view with paid step-by-step access via monthly or annual subscriptions, keeping pricing broadly accessible for individual learners.

About Mathway

Mathway is an online and mobile math problem solver launched to give fast, computable answers across a wide swath of STEM subjects. Originating as a focused calculator and homework helper, it positions itself between pure CAS systems and simple calculators by offering immediate final answers plus optional worked steps. The service is available at mathway.com and as native iOS and Android apps. Its core value proposition is speed and coverage: students can take a photo or type a problem, choose the appropriate subject area, and receive a validated numeric or symbolic result within seconds, useful for homework verification and quick learning loops.

The product’s key features reflect practical classroom workflows. Photo input (camera upload) recognizes handwritten and printed equations and converts them into a typed problem; success is usually immediate for clear, well-framed images. Topic-specific solvers cover Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra and Chemistry, so the engine routes problems to different solution rules depending on the chosen subject. The graphing tool plots functions and supports zoom and simple trace views for visual interpretation. Step-by-step explanations are available but gated behind the premium subscription; they break solutions into logical steps (isolation, algebraic manipulation, differentiation/integration steps) rather than only giving a final numeric result. Input options include a math keyboard, LaTeX-like typing, and copy/paste of expressions for more complex symbolic problems.

Mathway’s pricing model separates answer access from detailed steps. A free tier gives instant final answers for single problems in the browser or app but does not show step-by-step explanations. Paid access is offered as monthly and annual subscriptions; at the time of writing typical consumer pricing is approximately $9.99 per month or about $39.99 per year for unlimited step-by-step solutions (prices vary by region and platform store fees apply). Subscriptions unlock full step-by-step walkthroughs, unlimited problem lookups, and ad-free use in-app. There is no formal enterprise tier publicly listed on the consumer site, though institutional licensing or bulk access may require contacting support for custom arrangements.

Mathway is used by high school and college students primarily for homework checking and learning procedural steps, and by tutors who need quick worked examples to demonstrate approaches. For example, a high school math teacher might use Mathway to generate worked solutions for class handouts, while an engineering undergraduate can verify calculus homework integrals before submission. Educators sometimes prefer it as a time-saver compared with manual solution writing. For users needing symbolic experimentation, Mathway competes with Wolfram Alpha; Wolfram offers deeper symbolic manipulation and programmable notebooks, while Mathway emphasizes quick camera input and straightforward step explanations.

What makes Mathway different

Three capabilities that set Mathway apart from its nearest competitors.

  • Camera-first workflow that recognizes handwritten equations and converts them to typed problems for instant answers.
  • Subscription-gated step-by-step explanations that separate final answers (free) from procedural learning (paid).
  • Broad, subject-specific routing (calculus, linear algebra, chemistry) instead of a single generic solver pipeline.

Is Mathway right for you?

✅ Best for
  • High school students who need quick homework answer checks
  • College STEM students who need step-by-step solution walkthroughs
  • Tutors who need worked examples for demonstrations
  • Parents helping with K–12 math homework sessions
❌ Skip it if
  • Skip if you need fully open symbolic manipulation for research-grade proofs.
  • Skip if you require institution-wide SSO or bulk licensing without contacting sales.

✅ Pros

  • Camera input handles photographed problems and converts them into typed equations
  • Covers many discrete subject categories including calculus and chemistry
  • Mobile apps (iOS/Android) plus web access give cross-device availability

❌ Cons

  • Step-by-step solutions are behind a paywall; free view shows only final answers
  • Not designed for advanced symbolic exploration or programmable workflows like a CAS

Mathway Pricing Plans

Current tiers and what you get at each price point. Verified against the vendor's pricing page.

Plan Price What you get Best for
Free Free Final answers only, limited history, ads in mobile app Casual users who need quick answer checks
Premium Monthly $9.99/month Unlimited step-by-step access, ad-free, monthly billing Short-term students needing full steps
Premium Annual $39.99/year Unlimited steps, ad-free, annual billing saves cost Regular learners seeking best annual value

Best Use Cases

  • High school math teacher using it to generate class handout solutions quickly
  • Undergraduate engineering student using it to verify 20 calculus problems per week
  • Private tutor using it to create step-by-step examples to improve student scores

Integrations

iOS App Store (native app) Google Play (native app) Web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)

How to Use Mathway

  1. 1
    Open Mathway in browser
    Go to mathway.com or open the Mathway app. You'll see a subject selector and an input field. Choosing the correct subject (e.g., Algebra, Calculus) helps route the solver. A successful load shows the topic pill above the input field.
  2. 2
    Enter or paste a problem
    Type your equation using the on-screen math keyboard or paste a typed expression into the input box. Confirm symbols look correct and pick the matching topic; correct parsing shows the equation formatted before solving.
  3. 3
    Tap the camera icon and upload
    If using a photo, tap the camera icon in-app, take or upload a clear image, crop to the equation area, and confirm. Mathway will parse the image and populate the input field; success shows a converted expression.
  4. 4
    Request answer and view steps
    Press the 'Answer' button to get the final result instantly. To see the worked solution, tap 'View Steps'—if locked you'll be prompted to subscribe; a successful step view shows numbered algebraic or calculus steps.

Ready-to-Use Prompts for Mathway

Copy these into Mathway as-is. Each targets a different high-value workflow.

Solve Quadratic and Verify Roots
Get exact and decimal roots quickly
You are Mathway. Role: act as a math solver that returns only the roots and a one-line verification. Constraints: solve the quadratic exactly in simplest radical form, also give decimal approximations rounded to three decimal places, indicate multiplicity for repeated roots, and include a one-line residual check by substituting roots back into the original equation. Output format: 1) Exact roots: ... 2) Decimal approximations: ... 3) Residuals: ... Example input to solve (paste or type): 2x^2 - 5x + 3 = 0. Provide results for that equation with no extra commentary.
Expected output: Three short lines: exact roots, decimal approximations, and one-line residual checks.
Pro tip: Ask for 'simplest radical form' to avoid unsimplified surds and get readable exact roots.
Area of Rectangle Plus Semicircle
Compute composite shape area with units
You are Mathway. Role: compute the area of a composite figure (rectangle with semicircle on top). Constraints: use rectangle width = 10 cm and height = 6 cm; semicircle diameter equals rectangle width (so radius = 5 cm); present the final numeric area in cm^2 rounded to two decimal places; include exactly one line listing the formulas used and then the numeric result, no step-by-step algebra. Output format: 1) Formula used: ... 2) Numeric area: ... Example: rectangle area = width × height, semicircle area = (1/2)πr^2. Produce the numeric answer only with units.
Expected output: Two lines: formula summary then a numeric area value in cm^2 rounded to two decimals.
Pro tip: Specify units in the prompt to force inclusion of units in the numeric result instead of a unitless number.
Symbolic Linear System Analysis
Classify solutions of parameterized system
You are Mathway acting as a classroom solver. Role: analyze and solve symbolically the linear system with parameters a and b. Constraints: system is x + 2y - z = 3; 2x + 5y + a z = 7; -x - y + 4z = b. Provide: (1) determinant or rank check, (2) the explicit solution or parametric form, and (3) concise conditions on a and b that produce a unique solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solution, each with one-line justification. Output format: numbered sections: Determinant/Rank; Solution or parametric form; Conditions on a,b. Example: show the symbolic process—do not plug numbers for a or b unless required.
Expected output: Three numbered sections: determinant/rank work, symbolic solution or parametric form, and conditions on a and b with brief justifications.
Pro tip: Request a rank comparison (Augmented vs coefficient) to get crisp conditions for inconsistency versus infinite solutions.
Evaluate Parameterized Improper Integral
Return Gamma-function result and convergence domain
You are Mathway. Role: evaluate the improper integral I(a) = ∫_0^∞ x^{a-1} e^{-x} dx symbolically and state convergence conditions. Constraints: express the final result in terms of the Gamma function Γ(a), specify the domain of a for convergence (real a), and include a one-line justification addressing behavior near 0 and at ∞. Output format: 1) Final expression: I(a)=... 2) Convergence domain: ... 3) Justification (two one-line points: near 0, near ∞). Example: verify that I(1)=1 as a simple check.
Expected output: Three labeled lines: the Γ(a) expression, the convergence domain for a, and a two-part one-line justification.
Pro tip: Ask for separate one-line justifications at 0 and ∞ to avoid a vague single-sentence convergence statement.
Tutor Chain Rule Misconception Fix
Correct student chain rule mistake with example
You are Mathway acting as a private calculus tutor. Role: diagnose and correct a student's common chain-rule error (student differentiates sin(3x^2) as cos(3x^2) only). Constraints: (a) give a one-sentence diagnosis of the mistake, (b) provide a labeled, step-by-step corrected differentiation of f(x)=sin(3x^2) showing the inner derivative, (c) include a second similar practice problem with full solution, and (d) keep explanations clear for high-school seniors with minimal jargon. Output format: Diagnosis; Worked example steps (numbered); Practice problem and full solution. Example correct derivative: f'(x)=6x cos(3x^2).
Expected output: A short diagnosis sentence, numbered step-by-step worked derivative for the example, and a second practice problem with its full solution.
Pro tip: Request one 'practice' problem with full solution to reinforce learning — students often need an immediate similar example to correct misconceptions.
Inverse Laplace with ROC Analysis
Compute inverse Laplace with partial fractions and ROC
You are Mathway acting as an engineering TA. Role: compute the inverse Laplace transform of F(s) = (2s+5)/(s^2+4s+5) showing full algebraic steps and state the region of convergence (ROC). Constraints: assume causality (multiply by u(t)), complete the square on the denominator, rewrite the numerator to match standard Laplace pairs, perform partial-fraction-like decomposition as needed, show the algebraic steps explicitly, and give the final time-domain f(t) simplified with exponentials and sin/cos terms. Output format: 1) Completed-square denominator; 2) Algebraic rewriting/decomposition steps; 3) Final inverse transform f(t) with u(t); 4) ROC and causality note. Example: you may show a brief analogous step for (s+1)/((s+1)^2+4).
Expected output: Four sections: completed-square form, stepwise decomposition, the explicit time-domain f(t) with u(t), and the ROC/causality statement.
Pro tip: Ask Mathway to 'rewrite the numerator to match A(s+α)+B' explicitly to force alignment with standard transform pairs and avoid messy partial fractions.

Mathway vs Alternatives

Bottom line

Choose Mathway over Photomath if you prefer broader subject routing and a web app plus native mobile apps for both typed and photo input.

Head-to-head comparisons between Mathway and top alternatives:

Compare
Mathway vs Apache Airflow
Read comparison →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Mathway cost?+
Premium subscriptions typically cost about $9.99/month or $39.99/year. The exact price varies by region and platform (App Store/Google Play may apply taxes). The Premium plan unlocks unlimited step-by-step solutions and removes in-app ads; Mathway offers only consumer monthly and annual options publicly, with institutional pricing available via support contact.
Is there a free version of Mathway?+
Yes — Mathway offers free final answers in the web and mobile apps. The free tier returns the numeric or symbolic result for a problem but does not reveal the step-by-step explanation; viewing full solution steps requires a Premium subscription.
How does Mathway compare to Wolfram Alpha?+
Mathway focuses on camera input and procedural step walkthroughs rather than advanced symbolic notebooks. Wolfram Alpha provides deeper symbolic computation, unit-aware answers, and programmability, while Mathway emphasizes quick photographed-input parsing and easy step-by-step learning for typical classroom problems.
What is Mathway best used for?+
Mathway is best for checking homework answers and learning procedural steps. It excels at converting photos of problems, producing final answers quickly, and (with Premium) showing step-by-step solutions useful for exam prep, tutoring sessions, and homework verification across algebra, calculus, and basic chemistry.
How do I get started with Mathway?+
Open mathway.com or install the iOS/Android app and pick the subject you need. Type or upload a photo of your problem, press 'Answer' to see the result, and tap 'View Steps' to access detailed steps (Premium required). Successful use shows a parsed expression and immediate result in the UI.

More Research & Learning Tools

Browse all Research & Learning tools →
🔬
Perplexity AI
Research & Learning AI with fast, cited answers
Updated Mar 26, 2026
🔬
Elicit
Automated literature workflows for research & learning
Updated Apr 21, 2026
🔬
SciSpace
AI research assistant for faster literature understanding
Updated Apr 22, 2026