A back-of-the-envelope calculation is a rough calculation, typically jotted down on any available scrap of paper such as an envelope. It is more than a guess but less than an accurate …

The meaning of BACK-OF-THE-ENVELOPE is done quickly to provide a rough estimate : not exact. How to use back-of-the-envelope in a sentence.

Nov 5, 2024 · The phrase back of an (or the) envelope is used figuratively to indicate that something (such as a calculation, a plan, etc.) has been formulated or devised hurriedly, …

Learn the meaning and origin of the idiom 'back-of-the-envelope' and how it is used in everyday conversation.

Nov 28, 2025 · What Is a Back-Of-The-Envelope Calculation? A back-of-the-envelope calculation is an informal mathematical computation, often performed on a scrap of paper, such as an …

Drawing on the back of an envelope: a framework for interacting with application programs by freehand drawing.

Dec 14, 2025 · We joke about having to make back-of-the-envelope calculations, while in the university environment we might spend 2 or 3 weeks computerizing the calculations.

Describing something, usually a calculation, that is approximated in a quick, informal, and rough manner, as might be sketched out on a scrap of paper (such as the back of an envelope).

I can't tell you the exact amount, but my back-of-the-envelope [= rough] calculation indicates a cost of about $300,000.

'Back-of-the-envelope' is an English idiom. It means 'a rough calculation or initial estimate, often done quickly without detailed analysis.'