calcslive

Plug-and-play unit conversion and unit-aware multi-step calculations for n8n workflows. Transform your automation with automatic handling of 540+ units across 64+ categories.

Package Information

Released: 9/3/2025
Downloads: 1 weeklyĀ /Ā 23 monthly
Latest Version: 0.1.1
Author: e3d

Available Nodes

CalcsLive Calculator icon
CalcsLive Calculator
Execute unit-aware calculations using CalcsLive articles

Documentation

n8n-nodes-calcslive

CalcsLive Logo Execute unit-aware engineering calculations directly in your n8n workflows

Transform your automation with physics-powered calculations featuring automatic unit conversions, 64+ unit categories, and mathematical expressions that actually understand engineering units.

npm version
License: MIT

šŸš§ MVP Release: This is our initial release focused on core unit-aware calculation functionality. We're actively improving the node and welcome your feedback to help shape future features! Share your thoughts or reach out at don.wen@calcs.live

šŸš€ Quick Start

Installation

  1. Open your n8n instance
  2. Go to Settings ā†’ Community Nodes
  3. Enter n8n-nodes-calcslive and click Install
  4. Create your CalcsLive API credentials with your API key

First Calculation (5 minutes)

  1. Create a simple calculation at CalcsLive and note the Article ID
  2. Add the CalcsLive Calculator node to your workflow
  3. Enter your Article ID and choose Enhanced Mode for guided setup
  4. Add input values and watch the unit-aware magic happen! šŸŽÆ

šŸ’” Pro Tip: Start with a simple unit conversion calc (see example below) to experience the power!

āœØ Why CalcsLive? The Plug-and-Play Revolution!

šŸ”Œ Plug-and-Play Power

CalcsLive transforms n8n workflows with zero-configuration unit awareness. Simply plug the CalcsLive node between any two nodes and instantly bridge different unit systems, calculations, or data formats.

šŸš€ n8n Expressions + Unit Awareness = Game Changer

When you use n8n expressions ({{$json.data}}) with CalcsLive, your workflow data becomes unit-aware:

  • Dynamic Values: {{$json.temperature}} ā†’ Automatic Ā°C to Ā°F conversion
  • Smart Bridging: Any node ā†’ CalcsLive ā†’ Any node with proper units
  • Zero Code: No manual conversion formulas or complex calculations needed

Before vs After Comparison

// āŒ Before: Manual unit conversion nightmare
const distanceKm = 150;
const timeHours = 2;  
const speedKmH = distanceKm / timeHours; // = 75 km/h
// Need mph? Write more conversion code...
const speedMph = speedKmH * 0.621371; // = 46.6 mph

// āœ… With CalcsLive: Plug-and-play unit-aware workflows
{
  "inputs": {
    "D": { "value": "{{$json.distance}}", "unit": "km" },
    "t": { "value": "{{$json.time}}", "unit": "h" }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "s": { "unit": "mph" }
  }
}
// Result: Perfect unit conversion with n8n expression data! šŸŽÆ

šŸŽÆ Real-World Use Cases

šŸ”Œ Plug-and-Play Benefits for n8n Ecosystem

šŸŽÆ Instant Unit Bridging: Drop CalcsLive between any nodes to bridge unit mismatches

  • Google Sheets (metric) ā†’ CalcsLive ā†’ US Database (imperial) āœØ
  • IoT Sensors (various units) ā†’ CalcsLive ā†’ Normalized Dashboard šŸ“Š
  • API Response (Ā°C) ā†’ CalcsLive ā†’ Email Alert (Ā°F) šŸ“§

šŸš€ Zero Configuration: No complex setup, just plug and play

  • Create calc once ā†’ Use everywhere in your workflows
  • n8n expressions work seamlessly with unit awareness
  • Dynamic data flows get automatic unit intelligence

āš” Workflow Superpowers: Transform ordinary workflows into unit-aware automation

  • Before: 5 nodes + custom code for unit conversion
  • After: 1 CalcsLive node with automatic unit handling
  • Result: Cleaner workflows, fewer errors, more reliability

šŸ”§ Configuration Modes

Enhanced Mode (Recommended) šŸŒŸ

User-friendly interface with:

  • Dropdown Selectors: Choose input/output quantities from article
  • Auto-Discovery: Automatically loads available parameters
  • Default Values: Pre-populated with article defaults
  • Unit Validation: Visual feedback for valid units
  • Smart Tooltips: Contextual help for each parameter

Legacy Mode (Advanced Users)

Direct JSON input for:

  • Power Users: Full control over request structure
  • Custom Integrations: Programmatic parameter generation
  • Dynamic Workflows: Expression-based parameter building

šŸ“‹ Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Get Your API Key

  1. Visit CalcsLive and create an account
  2. Go to Account ā†’ API Keys
  3. Generate a new API key for n8n integration
  4. Note your subscription tier limits (Free: 100 calls/month after trial)

šŸ“¦ npm Package: @calcslive/n8n-nodes-calcslive

Step 2: Configure Credentials

  1. In n8n: Credentials ā†’ Create New ā†’ CalcsLive API
  2. Enter your API key from Step 1
  3. Base URL: https://www.calcs.live (default)

Step 3: Create Your Calculation Articles

Security Note: CalcsLive's n8n integration API is designed so users can only use their own public calculation articles in the CalcsLive node. You can create your own articles and use them in your node easily following the examples.

  1. Visit CalcsLive and create your calculation
  2. Define your Physical Quantities (PQs) and mathematical relationships
  3. Save your calculation and find the Article ID in the URL
    • Example URL: https://www.calcs.live/editor/3M5NVUCGW-3TA
    • Article ID: 3M5NVUCGW-3TA (the part after /editor/)

Demo Article IDs (for reference only - create your own for actual use):

  • 3M5NVUCGW-3TA - Speed Distance Time Calculator (demo)
  • 3VQ7Z8X2P-4B9 - Power Calculation (demo)
  • 2H8M3K5N-7C1 - Material Stress Analysis (demo)

Step 4: Configure Your Node

Enhanced Mode Setup:

  1. Article ID: Enter your chosen calculation ID
  2. Input Physical Quantities: Click "Add Input PQ"
    • Select parameter from dropdown
    • Enter value (or use expression)
    • Specify unit (optional - uses article default)
  3. Output Physical Quantities: Click "Add Output PQ"
    • Select desired output parameter
    • Specify preferred unit for results

Legacy Mode Setup:

{
  "articleId": "3M5NVUCGW-3TA",
  "inputs": {
    "D": { "value": 150, "unit": "km" },
    "t": { "value": 2, "unit": "h" }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "s": { "unit": "mph" }
  }
}

šŸ’” Workflow Examples

Example 1: Simple Unit Conversion (Perfect for Getting Started!)

Step 1: Create a calc in CalcsLive frontend with 2 PQs:

  • PQ0 = 2 m (input quantity)
  • PQ1 = PQ0 cm (output - just unit conversion)

Step 2: Use in n8n workflow as a plug-and-play unit converter:

Data Source ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Next Node

{
  "articleId": "YOUR-ARTICLE-ID",
  "inputs": {
    "PQ0": { "value": "{{$json.length_meters}}", "unit": "m" }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "PQ1": { "unit": "cm" }
  }
}

šŸŽÆ Result: Automatic m ā†’ cm conversion! The CalcsLive node becomes a unit-aware bridge between any two nodes in your workflow.

Example 2: IoT Sensor Processing with n8n Expressions

IoT Sensor ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Database

šŸš€ Game-Changer: When you use n8n expressions (like {{$json.temperature}}) with CalcsLive, your data gets unit-awareness superpowers!

{
  "inputs": {
    "temp_c": { "value": "{{$json.temperature}}", "unit": "Ā°C" }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "temp_f": { "unit": "Ā°F" }
  }
}

Example 3: Batch Spreadsheet Processing

Google Sheets ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Email Report

Use Case: Process engineering data with n8n expressions passing spreadsheet values directly to unit-aware calculations

Example 4: Real-time Monitoring Dashboard

Webhook ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ InfluxDB ā†’ Grafana

Use Case: Monitor manufacturing equipment with unit-normalized metrics using dynamic n8n expressions

Example 5: Compliance Reporting

Database Query ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ PDF Generator ā†’ Email

Use Case: Generate regulatory reports with region-appropriate units

šŸ“Š Understanding Node Output

Success Response Structure

{
  "success": true,
  "articleId": "3M5NVUCGW-3TA",
  "inputs": {
    "D": {
      "symbol": "D",
      "value": 150,
      "unit": "km", 
      "baseValue": 150000,
      "baseUnit": "m",
      "description": "Distance"
    }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "s": {
      "symbol": "s",
      "value": 46.6,
      "unit": "mph",
      "baseValue": 20.83,
      "baseUnit": "m/s", 
      "expression": "D/t",
      "description": "Speed"
    }
  },
  "_metadata": {
    "executionTime": "2025-09-03T17:30:00.000Z",
    "processingTimeMs": 45
  }
}

Key Output Fields

  • value & unit: Your requested result with specified units
  • baseValue & baseUnit: SI base units for standardization
  • expression: Mathematical formula used for calculation
  • description: Human-readable parameter description

šŸšØ Error Handling & Troubleshooting

Common Error Messages

Error Code Message Solution
401 Invalid API Key Check your CalcsLive API credentials
404 Article Not Found Verify article ID exists and is public
400 Invalid Input Format Check JSON structure and unit syntax
429 Rate Limit Exceeded Wait or upgrade subscription tier
500 Server Error Temporary CalcsLive service issue

Best Practices

  • Cache Article Metadata: Use Set nodes to avoid repeated validation calls
  • Error Boundaries: Add error handling for calculation failures
  • Unit Validation: Test unit compatibility before production deployment
  • Rate Limiting: Monitor API usage in high-frequency workflows

Debugging Tips

  1. Enable Node Debugging: Check console logs for detailed request/response info
  2. Test Articles: Use demo article IDs for initial testing
  3. Unit Checking: Verify unit spelling - case sensitive! (km not KM)
  4. Expression Validation: Check that symbols match article definitions

šŸ”§ Advanced Configuration

Dynamic Parameters with Expressions

{
  "inputs": {
    "pressure": { 
      "value": "{{$json.sensor_pressure}}", 
      "unit": "{{$json.sensor_unit || 'Pa'}}" 
    }
  }
}

Conditional Output Units

{
  "outputs": {
    "temperature": { 
      "unit": "{{$json.region === 'US' ? 'Ā°F' : 'Ā°C'}}" 
    }
  }
}

Batch Processing Pattern

// Split incoming array ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Merge results

šŸŒ Units & Categories

CalcsLive supports 64+ unit categories with 540+ units!

šŸ“– Complete Reference: Visit CalcsLive Units Reference for the interactive browser with search functionality and complete unit listings.

šŸ“š API Reference

Node Parameters

Parameter Type Required Description
articleId string āœ… CalcsLive calculation article identifier
configMode enum āœ… "enhanced" or "legacy" configuration mode
inputPQs array šŸ“‹ Enhanced mode: Physical quantity inputs
outputPQs array āšŖ Enhanced mode: Desired outputs with units
inputs JSON šŸ“‹ Legacy mode: Direct JSON input structure
outputs JSON āšŖ Legacy mode: Direct JSON output specification

Legend: āœ… Required, šŸ“‹ Required in respective mode, āšŖ Optional

Input PQ Structure (Enhanced Mode)

{
  "symbol": "D",           // Parameter symbol from article
  "value": 150,           // Numeric value
  "unit": "km"            // Unit specification (optional)
}

Output PQ Structure (Enhanced Mode)

{
  "symbol": "s",          // Output parameter symbol  
  "unit": "mph"           // Desired output unit
}

šŸ”— Integration Examples

Google Sheets Integration

Google Sheets Trigger ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Google Sheets Update

Process engineering data with automatic unit normalization.

Discord/Slack Bot

Discord Trigger ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Discord Response

Create calculation bots for engineering teams.

Database ETL Pipeline

Database ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Transform ā†’ Data Warehouse

Standardize units across diverse data sources.

Monitoring & Alerting

Sensor API ā†’ CalcsLive Calculator ā†’ Condition ā†’ Email Alert

Calculate safety thresholds with proper unit handling.

šŸ“ˆ Subscription Tiers & Limits

Tier API Calls/Month Unit Categories Best For
Free 100 (after trial) 25 essential Testing, demos
Basic 200 25 essential Small workflows
Premium 1,800 All 64+ categories Production systems
Enterprise Unlimited All categories Mission-critical

Note: Free tier includes 30-day unlimited trial for testing.

šŸ†˜ Support & Community

šŸ¤ Contributing

We welcome contributions! Here's how to get involved:

  1. Fork the repository
  2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
  3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
  4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
  5. Open a Pull Request

Development Setup

git clone https://github.com/calcslive/n8n-nodes-calcslive.git
cd n8n-nodes-calcslive
npm install
npm run build
npm link

# In your n8n directory
npm link n8n-nodes-calcslive
n8n start

šŸ“‹ Version History

0.1.0 - MVP Release

  • āœ… Enhanced and Legacy configuration modes
  • āœ… Automatic unit conversion system
  • āœ… Comprehensive error handling
  • āœ… API key authentication
  • āœ… Input/output parameter discovery
  • āœ… Debug logging for troubleshooting

Roadmap

  • 0.2.0: Batch processing optimizations
  • 0.3.0: Cached metadata for improved performance
  • 0.4.0: Visual calculation builder interface
  • 1.0.0: Production release with full test coverage

šŸ“œ License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

šŸŒŸ About CalcsLive

CalcsLive transforms how engineers and technical professionals handle calculations by embedding unit-aware mathematics directly into documents and workflows. Founded on the principle that calculations should be as easy as writing text, CalcsLive bridges the gap between mathematical rigor and practical usability.

Visit CalcsLive to explore the full platform!

Made with ā¤ļø by the CalcsLive team. Empowering engineers through intelligent calculations.

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