The Museum of HP Calculators


HP-16C Features

Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option.
Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +.
Other software is not included.
Display and Keyboard HP-16C
Display type LCD
Display format 1 Line
FIXed number format Yes
SCIentific number format Yes
ENGineering number format -
STanDard / ALL number format -
Alpha messages and prompts -
Softkeys labeled by mag. card or overlay -
Softkeys labeled by display menus -
Softkeys with neither labeling system -
Status annunciators Yes
Redefinable keyboard -
Logic HP-16C
Logic system RPN
Stack levels 4
Last x Yes
Undo -
Precedence -
Parentheses -
Storage Addition (STO +) -
Storage Arithmetic (STO +, −, ×, ÷) -
Storage Exponentiation (STO ^) -
Recall Arithmetic -
Named variables -
Multiple data types -
Directories -
Math HP-16C
+, −, ×, ÷ Yes 
1/x Yes
Yes
x2 -
LOG x -
10x -
LN x -
ex -
yx -
π -
% -
% change -
INTeger truncation and ABSolute value -
Trigonometric functions (SIN, COS etc.) -
Hyperbolic trig. (SINH, COSH etc.) -
# of trig. modes (degrees, radians, grads) -
Advanced Math HP-16C
Solver / root finder -
Numeric integration -
Complex numbers -
Matrix operations -
Matrix writer -
Equation writer -
Symbolic operations -
Fractions -
Plotting and graphics (display) -
Plotting and graphics (printer / plotter) -
Statistical HP-16C
Mean, standard deviation (# of variables) -
Σ of n, x, x2 -
Σ of n, x, x2, y -
Σ of n, x, x2, y, xy -
Σ of n, x, x2, y, y2, xy -
Σ of lists -
Random number generator -
Linear regression, estimate  -
Curve fitting -
Correlation coefficient -
Normal distribution -
Factorial -
Gamma -
Combinations and permutations -
Scientific and Time HP-16C
Polar / rectangular conversions -
Base conversions (2, 8, 10, 16) Yes
Arithmetic in bases 2, 8 and 16 Yes
Bit operations (AND, OR, XOR, ...) Yes
Selectable word size (1-64 bits) Yes
Selectable complement mode (1's, 2's, unsigned) Yes
Decimal hrs / hrs.min.sec. conversions -
Hrs.min.sec arithmetic -
Time of day clock -
Timer -
Dynamic calculations (timer × rate) -
Alarms -
Unit Conversions HP-16C
Centimeters / inches -
Millimeters / inches -
Meters / feet -
Kilograms / pounds (mass) -
Newtons / pounds (force) -
British thermal units / joules -
Liters / gallons -
° Celsius / ° Fahrenheit -
Other -
User-defined units -
Time Value of Money HP-16C
Number of payments (n) -
Interest rate (i) -
Present Value (PV) -
Payment (PMT) -
Future Value (FV) -
Cash Flow Analysis HP-16C
Net present value (NPV) -
Internal rate of return (IRR) -
Amortization HP-16C
Accumulated Interest (ACC INT) -
Balance (BAL) -
Depreciation HP-16C
Straight line (SL) -
Sum of the years digits (SOYD) -
Declining balance (DB) -
Bonds and calendar functions HP-16C
Bond price -
Bond yield -
Date arithmetic / calendar functions -
Memory and Programming HP-16C
Programming language(s) RPN
RAM / Max # of variables or addressable registers Variable*
Max # of program steps 203
RAM / Max vars or regs with full optional RAM -
Max # of prog steps with full optional RAM -
Merged program steps  Yes
Manual register / program memory allocation  -
Automatic register / program memory allocation Yes
Overlapped register and program memory -
Continuous memory Yes
Flags 6
Conditional tests 8
Subroutine levels 4
Indexed looping (increment by +/- 1, end at 0) Yes
Indexed looping (choice of increment and end) -
Multiple index / loop registers -
Line number addressing -
Branching by relative line number -
Global program label addressing Yes
Local program label addressing -
Indirect / computed addressing and control Yes
Multiple indirection registers -
Pause Yes
Alpha messages and prompts in programs -
Alpha program listings -
Alpha string manipulation -
Program step insert / delete Yes
I/O and Expansion Features HP-16C
ROM modules -
RAM modules or expansion option -
General expansion slots / connector -
Magnetic card reader/writer -
Tape drive -
Disk drive -
Upgradeable firmware -
Optical wand -
Serial port -
Infrared input -
Infrared output -
Printer -
Networking -
Other -
General HP-16
Sounds -
Self test Yes
Hard case (in addition to soft case) -
Additional Features Shift,
Rotate, etc.
Batteries 3 SR44
Length (inches) 5.1"
Width 3.1"
Height 0.6"
Weight (oz or lbs) 4 oz
Year of introduction 1982
Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option.
Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +.
Other software is not included.

Unlim means limited only by available memory.
HP-16C notes:
  • FIXed mode set by "FLOAT #". SCIentific mode set by "FLOAT ." (No choice of the number of digits in Scientific mode.)
  • The maximum number of registers depends on the wordsize (1-64 bits). The maximum is INT(1624/word-size).
  • Self test: with the calculator off, hold the × key down and press and release ON, then release ×. The calculator will display running for around half a minute and then activate the entire display to indicate success. The test may be done continuously by (with the calculator off) holding + down while pressing the ON key. To stop the continuous test at the end of the current iteration, press and hold − and then press ON.
  • There is also a keyboard test. With the calculator off, press and hold ÷ and press ON. Now press each key from the top left moving left to right and then down (the enter key gets pressed in both the third and fourth rows.) If all keys are pressed in the correct order and are working, the model number (without the C) is displayed. Otherwise, Error 9 is displayed. (The display will show a changing pattern of segments as keys are pressed.)

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