The ACT calculator policy allows permitted calculators only on the mathematics test and places responsibility on students to bring an acceptable device that does not include prohibited CAS, communication, or phone-app features.
ACT Approved Calculators (2026)
The ACT calculator policy allows permitted calculators only on the mathematics test and places responsibility on students to bring an acceptable device that does not include prohibited CAS, communication, or phone-app features.
Use the checker below to test your exact model in seconds, then scan the full approved and banned list — every answer is tied to the official ACT Inc. policy and dated.
Is your calculator allowed on ACT Math? Check in 5 seconds.
Pick your exact model — the checker jumps straight to the official-source verdict, so you never have to guess.
ACT Inc. rules, reduced to the parts calculator owners need first.
i. Allowed
The ACT calculator policy allows permitted calculators only on the mathematics test and places responsibility on students to bring an acceptable...
ii. Banned
Devices with a computer algebra system (CAS), wireless or app features, a QWERTY keyboard, or anything outside the official policy should be treated as barred until verified against the source.
iii. Caveats
Policies change, and test staff may inspect the exact model name printed on the calculator. Always confirm against the official source before test day.
Last reviewed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled review: Aug 13, 2026.
Approved models
6 approvedCalculators allowed on ACT Math.
| № | Brand / Model | Why short | Verdict | Last verified | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Casio fx-991CWScientific | Based on the cited policy quote, this verdict treats the Casio fx-991CW as approved for ACT Math...Yes. The Casio fx-991CW is approved for ACT Math based on the cited policy quote and the... | Approved | Last verified 2026·05·15 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiViewScientific | Based on the cited policy quote, this verdict treats the Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView as...Yes. The Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView is approved for ACT Math based on the cited... | Approved | Last verified 2026·05·15 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-83 PlusGraphing | The ACT calculator policy allows graphing calculators unless a separate prohibited feature applies. The...Yes. The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus is allowed on ACT Math in 2026 as a physical... | Approved | Last verified 2026·05·21 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CEGraphing | The ACT calculator policy allows graphing calculators unless a separate prohibited feature applies. The...Yes. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE is allowed on ACT Math in 2026 as a physical... | Approved | Last verified 2026·05·20 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-84 PlusGraphing | The ACT calculator policy allows graphing calculators unless a separate prohibited feature applies. The...Yes. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus is allowed on ACT Math in 2026 as a physical... | Approved | Last verified 2026·05·21 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX IIGraphing | The ACT calculator policy allows graphing calculators unless a separate prohibited feature applies. The...Yes. The Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II is allowed on ACT Math in 2026 as a physical... | Approved | Last verified 2026·05·21 | Open file |
Banned models
4 bannedCalculators not allowed on ACT Math.
| № | Brand / Model | Why short | Verdict | Last verified | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HP PrimeCas Graphing | The ACT calculator policy allows many scientific and graphing calculators, but it prohibits calculators...No. The HP Prime is banned on ACT Math in 2026 because ACT prohibits CAS calculators and... | Banned | Last verified 2026·05·20 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-89 TitaniumCas Graphing | ACT allows many 4-function, scientific, and graphing calculators, but that permission stops when a...No. The Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium is banned on ACT Math in 2026 because ACT... | Banned | Last verified 2026·05·20 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX CASCas Graphing | The ACT calculator policy prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality. This...No. The Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX CAS is banned for ACT Math in 2026 because it has... | Banned | Last verified 2026·05·20 | Open file | |
Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CASCas Graphing | ACT allows many graphing calculators, but it prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS...No. The Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS is not allowed on ACT Math in 2026 because... | Banned | Last verified 2026·05·21 | Open file |
The #1 mistake
It is almost always about CAS.
Every banned model above is barred for the same reason — a built-in computer algebra system (CAS) that solves algebra symbolically. The trap: several CAS models look almost identical to an allowed non-CAS version.
Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II vs Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS
Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II is allowed (no CAS). Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS is banned (CAS). Look for the letters “CAS” printed on the front of the unit.
Banned for CAS on the ACT: HP Prime, Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium, Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX CAS, Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS. If your model's printed name does not say “CAS” and it is a standard scientific or graphing calculator, it is far more likely to be on the approved side — but confirm the exact name.
Why are CAS calculators banned? Read the short guide before choosing a replacement.
On test day
What to do if…
Your calculator dies
The ACT Inc. will not supply one. Install fresh batteries before test week and bring a spare approved calculator or spare batteries.
A proctor questions your model
Follow test-staff instructions. The rule is about features (CAS, wireless, QWERTY), so point to the exact model name printed on the unit and keep a printout of the official policy.
You borrowed a school calculator
Confirm the exact printed model, check the battery and screen, and clear any stored programs or documents before test day so it is not treated as a modified device.
Buying one?
Which calculator to get for the ACT.
Any model in the approved list is accepted. If you are buying new, these are the most common safe choices — open a verdict for the official source and a retail link.
Need a graphing calculator
Approved options include Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus, Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE, Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus. The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus is the most common choice.
Need a scientific calculator
Approved options include Casio fx-991CW, Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView. These cost far less than a graphing model and are fully accepted.
Deep dive
Choosing between the TI-84 models?
Which TI-84 is allowed on the ACT? Plus vs Plus CE vs TI-83, and the TI models to avoid →
Frequently asked
ACT calculator questions, answered.
Q.01What calculators are allowed on the ACT?
The ACT calculator policy allows permitted calculators only on the mathematics test and places responsibility on students to bring an acceptable device that does not include prohibited CAS, communication, or phone-app features. This guide verifies 6 approved models against the official ACT Inc. policy, including the Casio fx-991CW, Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView, Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus.
Q.02Which calculators are banned on the ACT?
4 models in this guide are not allowed: HP Prime, Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium, Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX CAS, Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS. In each case it is because the model includes a computer algebra system (CAS), is outside the official whitelist, or has another prohibited feature. Open the model's verdict for the exact official source.
Q.03Is the TI-Nspire CX II allowed on the ACT?
Yes, if it is the physical non-CAS TI-Nspire CX II handheld model. ACT treats non-CAS TI-Nspire models differently from TI-Nspire CAS or TI-Nspire CX II CAS models, which are prohibited.
Q.04Is a TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus CE allowed on the ACT?
Yes. The TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus CE are non-CAS graphing calculators in this guide, so they are treated as allowed on ACT Math unless a current ACT policy change or test-day instruction says otherwise.
Q.05What should I do if my exact model is not listed here?
Use the report-issue page and include the exact model name printed on the calculator body. We check it against the official ACT Inc. policy and add a verdict with its source.
See also
Calculator rules for other exams.
Corrections
Report an outdated rule →Policies change. If a verdict is stale or your model is missing, send the exact model name and source.