DialFlow — a radial keypad calculator you can use with one thumb
The glide typing calculator built for quick one-thumb calculations.
Slide to enter multi-digit numbers, keep momentum with the outside-start continuation rule, and stay in flow without hunting for ‘=’ or ‘*’.
Why DialFlow feels lighter
Low cognitive load
No visual hunt for ‘=’ or ‘*’. The ring stays under your thumb; targets are large and consistent.
Glide‑continuation rule
Outside-start → continue the same number; on-key → start new number. Pauses are ignored—they’re unreliable delimiters.
One‑hand friendly
Designed for quick calculations on the go.
Fast for experts, clear for beginners
Teachers and parents can onboard kids quickly; experts get speed without mode hunting.
Operand lock
Lock one operand so all new input goes to the other one—handy when you want to tweak a single side of an expression.
Open‑source & hackable
Ship it as a web app or import the keypad as a component in your own project.
How it works (3 steps)
Slide across digits
Trace along the ring to enter a number. The keypad follows your thumb.
Continue a number
To add more digits to the same number, begin the next slide outside the ring using a swipe‑in gesture — DialFlow continues seamlessly.
Evaluate as you go
Operators appear contextually and expressions evaluate inline; equals is rarely needed.
For classrooms and parents
DialFlow is simple for beginners and fast for experts. Teachers can use the radial keypad as a math practice tool, and anyone who prefers large targets gets a calm, one-thumb calculator. It may also support learners with dyscalculia or math anxiety by offering larger targets, a consistent ring layout, and fewer symbol hunts, which can reduce cognitive load.
As seen & discussed
FAQ
Why a radial (ring) keypad?
A rectangular grid doesn’t let you slide through the central numbers in a single arc; the ring does.
Do I have to slide?
Glide typing is great for entering multiple digits quickly, but you can also just tap. If you ignore glide gestures and tap one digit at a time, DialFlow doubles as a simple single‑digit calculator.
How does it decide when a number ends?
Pauses alone are unreliable. DialFlow uses the outside‑start rule: if the slide begins outside the ring, we continue the prior number; if it begins on a digit, we start a new one.
Does DialFlow work on phones and tablets?
Yes. The radial keypad fills the screen so you can glide with one thumb on a phone or swipe across on a tablet. Desktop users can drag with a mouse or trackpad.
Developers
Open-source on GitHub. Prototype focuses on glide typing; no keyboard events yet.
Embed the clock calculator
Copy and paste this snippet into your page:
<iframe
src="https://arivero.github.io/quickcalcs/clock.html"
width="400"
height="400"
frameborder="0"
loading="lazy"
title="Clock with Calculator"></iframe>