Google can do more than just help you search websites. So if you can use it to save time, why not? Here are six shortcuts (aka Advanced Operators ^[1]) to start you off:

1. Weather

If you want to know weather conditions for a particular city, type the word weather before the city name or zip code. For instance:

Weather San Francisco, or Weather Melbourne

2. Basic Calculator

Sometimes it is just quicker to type your query into Google than to pull out your calculator, or bring up calculator software. Use these for simple sums:

Addition: + e.g. 17 + 7

Subtraction: - e.g. 23 – 17

Division: / e.g. 23 / 17

Multiplication: * e.g. 23 * 17

Percent: % of e.g. 17% of 23

3. Measurements and Conversions

All measurements and conversions can be calculated by using the word in between various units. For instance:

Currency: – AUD, USD, EURO, GBP: e.g. 43AUD in USD

Mass – kg, lb, gram or g, tons: e.g. 25kg in lb

Numbering Systems - hex, binary, decimal, roman: e.g. LVII in decimal

Volume – gallons, liters or l, teaspoons, pints: e.g. 2 liters in pints

Time – seconds, minutes, days, years, fortnights, decades, centuries: e.g. 1 year in seconds

4. Package Tracking

Instead of going to Fedex, UPS, or USPS, you can now track your package directly through Google. Type the provider first; reference number second and Google will give you the link for your package: For instance:

Fedex 171717171717

5. Booking Flights

By typing in the departing city, followed by the arriving city, Google will offer up a choice of dates and services. For instance:

Melbourne Sydney, or, San Francisco New York.

6. Status of flights

You want to know if a flight is delayed or on time? Just type the airline name or code and a flight number to see the status of a particular flight. For instance:

Qantas 271 or United 77

For more detailed information about advanced operators, check out the Google Guide ^[2]