270
270 is the number of votes needed to win a majority in the United States Electoral College — more than half of the 538 total votes — and thus the number needed to win the U.S. presidency.
- Even
- Composite
Where 270 fits
Why 270 is special
270 is the single most quoted number in American presidential elections: with 538 total Electoral College votes at stake, a candidate needs 270 to secure a majority and win the presidency, regardless of the national popular-vote total.
Same number, different meanings
How 270 is understood across different contexts — never implying one meaning because of another.
- Mathematics
270 is the single most quoted number in American presidential elections: with 538 total Electoral College votes at stake, a candidate needs 270 to secure a majority and win the presidency, regardless of the national popular-vote total.
- Law & regulation
The United States Electoral College has 538 total votes; 270 is the majority threshold a presidential candidate must reach to win the presidency, as set out in U.S. constitutional and federal election law.
- Media & popular culture
'270 to win' is a common shorthand used across U.S. television and online election-night coverage to track a candidate's progress toward the Electoral College majority in real time.
Factors & digit properties
- Divisors (16)
- 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 27, 30, 45, 54, 90, 135, 270
- Prime factorisation
- 2 × 3^3 × 5
- Digit sum
- 9
- Digital root
- 9
Representations
- Decimal
- 270
- Binary
- 100001110
- Octal
- 416
- Hexadecimal
- 10e
- Roman numeral
- CCLXX
- Scientific notation
- 2.700 × 10^2
Other mathematical patterns
- Abundant number
- Harshad (Niven) number
Related numbers & connections
270 is a multiple of 90 (90 × 3 = 270).
View 90 →Mathematically related
- is a multiple of90
why?
Strength 0.50, confidence "high".
Law & regulation
The United States Electoral College has 538 total votes; 270 is the majority threshold a presidential candidate must reach to win the presidency, as set out in U.S. constitutional and federal election law.
DocumentedLaw & regulationGeography: United States
Media & popular culture
'270 to win' is a common shorthand used across U.S. television and online election-night coverage to track a candidate's progress toward the Electoral College majority in real time.
Widely documentedMedia & popular cultureGeography: United States
Common questions
Is 270 a prime number?
No, 270 is not prime.
What are the factors of 270?
The factors of 270 are 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 27, 30, 45, 54, 90, 135, 270.
What is 270 in Roman numerals?
270 in Roman numerals is CCLXX.
About this page's data
Mathematical facts:computed directly from the number's value — nothing to source or verify externally.
Contextual records: 2 reviewer-confirmed records, sourced and reviewed before publication.
Last reviewed: 30 July 2026