New Record: Pi Now Known to 62 Trillion Digits

A Swiss team has pushed the boundaries of human knowledge by calculating the irrational constant pi (𝛑) to 62.8 trillion digits, about 25% further than the previous record.

They accomplished this while testing a new supercomputer at the Competence Center for Data Analysis, Visualization and Simulation (DAViS). 

Knowing pi to this precision is not exactly useful for any practical measurements. JPL has stated that they only use the first 16 digits in their space exploration calculations. And it would only take the first 39 digits to calculate the circumference of the known universe to the width of a hydrogen atom.

Even if you did want to use it in calculations, it would be quite an undertaking since the 62 trillion digit number would require around 27 terabytes of space on your hard drive.

Nevertheless, it does provide a benchmark of humanity's technological strength. And this record likely won't stand for long. As long as we keep building smarter computers, we'll keep calculating a more precise definition of pi.

Check out our pencils with the first 25 digits of pi, more than required to plan your space travel.