How to Use Photomath to Solve a Math Problem

Photomath solves a math problem by letting you scan it with your phone camera or type it into a smart calculator, then showing a solution for that exact problem with step-by-step explanations you can open one step at a time. It works for printed and handwritten problems, including word problems, and covers math from elementary level through college — elementary math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. You need the app installed on a phone to do this; the site's own description of the flow is Scan → Solve → Learn.

What you need before you start

• The Photomath app on a phone with a working camera (for scanning).
• A problem you can photograph or type — homework, a textbook page, or a handwritten equation.
• No account is required just to scan and read a solution, based on the site's description. The site does not state whether an account or sign-in is needed for any feature, so treat that as unconfirmed.

Step 1: Scan the problem

1. Open the app and point the camera at the problem.
2. Frame the whole problem inside the view — this matters most for word problems, since the app is described as handling them, not just bare equations.
3. Hold steady until the app recognizes the problem.

Expected result: the app locks onto your problem and moves to solving it.

Common snag: handwriting and word problems are harder to recognize than clean printed equations. If the scan doesn't catch, flatten the page, improve the lighting, and avoid shadows across the text.

Step 2: Or type the problem instead

If scanning won't work — a problem on a screen, a messy page, or something you'd rather enter by hand — use the smart calculator to input the problem directly. This is the fallback path the site lists alongside scanning, and it avoids camera recognition issues entirely.

Step 3: Read the solution

A solution appears for your exact problem. The site notes there may be multiple methods to choose from, so if more than one is offered, pick the one that matches how your class or textbook approaches that type of problem.

Step 4: Work through the steps to actually learn it

This is the part that separates Photomath from a plain answer key. The app is described as designed for learning, and you can check each step to confirm you understand how the solution was reached. Go step by step rather than jumping to the final answer — the point is to see where your own attempt went wrong.

If you want more than the bare steps, the paid tiers add custom visual aids and extra "how" and "why" tips.

Free vs. paid: what the site lists

The Basic tier is listed at $0 USD and includes step-by-step explanations, so you can scan, solve, and read the steps without paying. The two paid options list the same feature set as each other and differ only in billing period — annual at $69.99 USD versus monthly at $9.99 USD. Both paid tiers are entered via "Start trial," so check the trial terms in the app before committing, since the site doesn't spell them out.

When Photomath is the right tool — and when it isn't

Use it when: you're stuck on a specific problem and want to see the reasoning, you want to check your own work step by step, or you're studying a topic across the levels it covers (elementary through college).

It's a weaker fit when: you need a concept taught from scratch before attempting problems, or you're in a setting that doesn't allow phone use during work. Photomath explains a solution to a problem you bring it — it doesn't replace instruction.

The site also publishes study-skills articles (focus and test prep, math anxiety, using Photomath beyond homework), which are worth a look if the problem is confidence or study habits rather than a single equation.