Turn ChatGPT Into Your Engineering Calculator
- Patrick Law
- May 11
- 2 min read
Frustrated with redoing the same calculations in Excel? ChatGPT now lets engineers replicate entire workflows with just one prompt—no coding required.
Key Features: Why Engineers Are Using ChatGPT for Calculations
AI is no longer just for chatting—it’s a serious engineering tool when used correctly. By structuring ChatGPT with four simple prompts, engineers can turn it into a customized calculator that mirrors their methodology exactly.
Here’s what makes it powerful:
Method Replication: Feed ChatGPT one example, and it will replicate your calculation logic—inputs, formulas, units, references, and output format.
Input Flexibility: Easily swap in new values (e.g., flowrate, pressure, temperature) and re-run the full calculation.
QA/QC with Python: A built-in Python validation step double-checks the math and flags errors, ensuring reliable results.
Template Output: Final results can be structured in Excel-like tables that follow your original document’s format—ready to copy/paste or submit.
Scales Across Equipment: Works for any repeatable calc—pumps, vessels, PSVs, separators, line sizing, and more.
Limitations: What You Still Need to Do
Despite its capabilities, ChatGPT is not plug-and-play without prep work.
Requires an Example: You must first provide a clear example calculation. The AI mirrors your method—it doesn’t invent one.
Not Ideal for Ambiguous Problems: If your reference doc lacks structure or if assumptions are unclear, results may be incomplete.
Doesn’t Replace Engineering Judgment: You still need to verify if assumptions, units, and conditions match real-world constraints.
For context on best practices, refer to OpenAI’s documentation or visit Singularity’s prompt structuring guide here.
Conclusion: Automate Once. Reuse Forever.
Using ChatGPT as a calculator doesn’t just save time—it helps standardize your workflow, reduce errors, and free you from repetitive tasks. If you're spending hours redoing the same calcs, it's time to shift.
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Singularity AI for Engineers — and start automating your engineering tasks today.
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