BODMAS vs PEMDAS: What's the Difference?
BODMAS and PEMDAS are the same mathematical rule with different regional names. Explore the interactive hierarchy ladder and compare regional conventions.
BODMAS and PEMDAS: Same Rule, Different Names
BODMAS and PEMDAS represent the same mathematical order of operations. Both systems produce identical results for every arithmetic expression. The only difference is regional naming — BODMAS is used in the UK, India, and Australia, while PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) is used in the United States. You can verify any equation using our free BODMAS calculator to see how operations are evaluated step-by-step.
| Feature | BODMAS | PEMDAS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction | Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction |
| Regions | UK, India, Australia, New Zealand | United States, Canada |
| "Brackets" vs "Parentheses" | Same meaning: ( ) [ ] { } | Same meaning: ( ) [ ] { } |
| "Orders" vs "Exponents" | Same meaning: powers, roots | Same meaning: powers, roots |
| Math Result | Identical | Identical |
Interactive Order of Operations Precedence Ladder
Click any rank to see why Division & Multiplication and Addition & Subtraction share identical priorities across both BODMAS and PEMDAS.
B — Brackets: Parentheses ( ), Braces , Brackets [ ]
Any expression enclosed inside brackets must be solved completely before any other operations. If brackets are nested (brackets within brackets), always evaluate the innermost bracket first: ( ) then then [ ].
Why the Order Looks Different
BODMAS lists Division before Multiplication, and PEMDAS lists Multiplication before Division. This does not change the math. Division and Multiplication have equal priority in both systems. Both BODMAS and PEMDAS require Division and Multiplication to be solved from left to right, not in alphabetical order.
The same rule applies to Addition and Subtraction — they have equal priority and are solved left to right in both systems.
What About BIDMAS and BEDMAS?
BIDMAS stands for Brackets, Indices, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. BIDMAS replaces "Orders" with "Indices" — both refer to the same thing (powers and roots). BIDMAS is the preferred term in British schools.
BEDMAS stands for Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. BEDMAS is used in Canada and replaces "Orders" with "Exponents." All 4 systems — BODMAS, BIDMAS, PEMDAS, BEDMAS — produce the same result for every expression.
Same Expression, Same Answer
The expression 20 − 3 × 4 + 8 ÷ 2 produces 12 in both BODMAS and PEMDAS:
20 − 12 = 8, then 8 + 4 = 12
BODMAS and PEMDAS are 2 names for the same rule. Use BODMAS in UK/India/Australia contexts and PEMDAS in US contexts. The math is identical.