Prefix to Postfix Converter with Built-in Dynamic Tutorial

Prefix to Postfix Converter Sign

This calculator will convert a prefix expression (Polish Notation) to a postfix expression (Reverse Polish Notation) and show the step-by-step process used to arrive at the result using stack.

If you're not sure what is meant by the terms prefix or stack, please visit the Learn section of the Infix to Postfix Converter page.

If you would like to convert a prefix expression back to an infix expression, please visit the Prefix to Infix Converter. Or, if you would like to convert a postfix expression (4 3 *) to prefix (* 4 3), please visit the Postfix to Prefix Converter.

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Prefix to Postfix Converter

Convert prefix to postfix and see the step-by-step process for completing the conversion.

Special Instructions

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Selected Data Record:

A Data Record is a set of calculator entries that are stored in your web browser's Local Storage. If a Data Record is currently selected in the "Data" tab, this line will list the name you gave to that data record. If no data record is selected, or you have no entries stored for this calculator, the line will display "None".

DataData recordData recordSelected data record: None
Example notations:

Example prefix expressions:

To see an example of how the Prefix to Postfix Converter works, and what types of expressions the calculator is set up to handle, select a prefix expression from the drop-down menu. To clear the expression field to enter your own prefix expression, select "Example Problems" or click the "Reset" button.

Prefix expression:

Prefix expression:

Enter a prefix expression that fits within the following guidelines:

  • Include a single space between numbers or operators.
  • Numbers, single letters, and operators only (no variables or function names).
  • Contains only numbers, decimal points, letters, and these valid characters: ^ * / + - .
  • Numbers with a leading decimal point must be preceded by a zero (enter .5 as 0.5).
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Result:

Postfix:

This line will display the result of the prefix to postfix conversion.

If you would like to save the current entries to the secure online database, tap or click on the Data tab, select "New Data Record", give the data record a name, then tap or click the Save button. To save changes to previously saved entries, simply tap the Save button. Please select and "Clear" any data records you no longer need.

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Help and Tools

Learn

How to convert prefix notation into postfix notation.

How to Convert Prefix Notation to Postfix Notation Using Stack

Working from right to left, scan each character of the prefix expression, and take one of the following two actions.

If the character is an operand, push it to the stack.

If the character is an operator, pop the top value from the stack for its left operand and pop the next top value from the stack for its right operand. Finally, append the operator to its operands and push the postfix string back to the stack.

Repeat the above scanning and subsequent actions until all prefix characters have been handled. If the prefix expression was valid, you should be left with a single element in the stack, which is the postfix equivalent of the prefix expression.

Prefix to Postfix Conversion Examples

The following are two examples showing how to apply the conversion process detailed in the previous section.

Example #1: * 5 - ^ 6 2 2

Start scanning characters, one at a time, from right to left.

* 5 - ^ 6 2 2

The first character scanned is "2", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

2
  
StackPostfix String

* 5 - ^ 6 2 2

The next character scanned is "2", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

2
2
  
StackPostfix String

* 5 - ^ 6 2 2

The next character scanned is "6", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

6
2
2
  
StackPostfix String

* 5 - ^ 6 2 2

The next character scanned is "^", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 6 from the stack for the left operand and then pop 2 from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "^" to its two operands to form the postfix string 6 2 ^.

2
 6 2 ^ 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 6 2 ^ to the stack.

6 2 ^
2
  
StackPostfix String

* 5 - ^ 6 2 2

The next character scanned is "-", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 6 2 ^ from the stack for the left operand and then pop 2 from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "-" to its two operands to form the postfix string 6 2 ^ 2 -.

 
 6 2 ^ 2 - 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 6 2 ^ 2 - to the stack.

6 2 ^ 2 -
  
StackPostfix String

* 5 - ^ 6 2 2

The next character scanned is "5", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

5
6 2 ^ 2 -
  
StackPostfix String

* 5 - ^ 6 2 2

The next character scanned is "*", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 5 from the stack for the left operand and then pop 6 2 ^ 2 - from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "*" to its two operands to form the postfix string 5 6 2 ^ 2 - *.

 
 5 6 2 ^ 2 - * 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 5 6 2 ^ 2 - * to the stack.

5 6 2 ^ 2 - *
  
StackPostfix String

Since we are done scanning characters, the remaining element in the stack (5 6 2 ^ 2 - *) becomes the result of the prefix to postfix conversion.

Prefix notation: * 5 - ^ 6 2 2
Postfix equivalent: 5 6 2 ^ 2 - *
Example #2: - * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

Start scanning characters, one at a time, from right to left.

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The first character scanned is "13", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "5", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

5
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "10", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

10
5
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "/", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 10 from the stack for the left operand and then pop 5 from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "/" to its two operands to form the postfix string 10 5 /.

13
 10 5 / 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 10 5 / to the stack.

10 5 /
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "25", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

25
10 5 /
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "+", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 25 from the stack for the left operand and then pop 10 5 / from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "+" to its two operands to form the postfix string 25 10 5 / +.

13
 25 10 5 / + 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 25 10 5 / + to the stack.

25 10 5 / +
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "2", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

2
25 10 5 / +
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "7", which is an operand, so push it to the stack.

7
2
25 10 5 / +
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "^", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 7 from the stack for the left operand and then pop 2 from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "^" to its two operands to form the postfix string 7 2 ^.

25 10 5 / +
13
 7 2 ^ 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 7 2 ^ to the stack.

7 2 ^
25 10 5 / +
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "*", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 7 2 ^ from the stack for the left operand and then pop 25 10 5 / + from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "*" to its two operands to form the postfix string 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + *.

13
 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * to the stack.

7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + *
13
  
StackPostfix String

- * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13

The next character scanned is "-", which is an operator, so pop its two operands from the stack. Pop 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * from the stack for the left operand and then pop 13 from the stack for the right operand. Next, append the "-" to its two operands to form the postfix string 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * 13 -.

 
 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * 13 - 
StackPostfix String

Next, push the postfix string 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * 13 - to the stack.

7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * 13 -
  
StackPostfix String

Since we are done scanning characters, the remaining element in the stack (7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * 13 -) becomes the result of the prefix to postfix conversion.

Prefix notation: - * ^ 7 2 + 25 / 10 5 13
Postfix equivalent: 7 2 ^ 25 10 5 / + * 13 -

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