The 16C can display integers in hexadecimal, decimal, octal and binary, and convert numbers from one number base to another. It also deals with floating-point decimal numbers. To accommodate long integers, the display can be 'windowed' by shifting it left and right. For consistency with the computer the programmer is working with, the word size can be set to different values from 1 to 64 bits. Binary-arithmetic operations can be performed as unsigned, ones' complement, or two's complement operations. This allows the calculator to emulate the programmer's computer. A number of specialized functions are provided to assist the programmer, including left- and right-shifting, left- and right-rotating, masking, and bitwise logical operations.

Apart from programmer functions, the calculator's abilities are limited to basic arithmetic (and reciprocal and square root),^[3] which meant that typical users would also make use of a general scientific calculator. Floating-point numbers are only supported for base 10. However, it is still far more powerful (though also much more expensive) than contemporary competitors such as the non-programmable computer math calculator Casio CM-100^[4][5] or the TI Programmer [de],^[6][7] LCD Programmer^[8][9][10] or Programmer II.^[11]

The back of the 16C features a printed reference chart for many of its functions.^[12]

The calculator uses the proprietary HP Nut processor produced in a bulk CMOS process and featured continuous memory, whereby the contents of memory are preserved while the calculator is turned off.^[13] Though commonplace now, this was still notable in the early 1980s, and is the origin of the "C" in the model name.

The 16C, like all other members of the Voyager series, is itself programmable. Keystroke programming is used. Up to 203 program steps are available, and up to 16 program/step labels. Each step and label uses one byte, which consumes register space in 7 byte increments. Here is a sample program that computes the factorial of an integer number from 2 to 69. The program takes up 9 bytes. The codes displayed while entering the program generally correspond to the keypad row/column coordinates of the keys pressed.

To run the program, enter the argument onto the stack, then press the keystrokes GSB F. The result is displayed when the program terminates.

HP has never made another calculator specifically for programmers,^[2] but has incorporated many of the HP-16C's functions in later scientific and graphing calculators, for example the HP-42S (1988) and its successors.

Like many other vintage HP calculators, the HP-16C is now highly sought-after by collectors.^[14] Several emulators are available for desktop computers, web browsers, smartphones and other calculators.^{[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][excessive citations]}

In 2012, SwissMicros (aka RPN-Calc) introduced a miniature clone named DM-16CC approximating the size of an ID-1 credit card (88 mm × 59 mm × 7 mm). It closely emulates the functionality of the original HP-16C by running the original ROM image in an emulator on an ARM Cortex-M0-based NXP LPC1114 processor. Newer DM16 models feature a better keyboard and more RAM (LPC1115). A DM16 Silver Edition in a titanium case is available as well in three color variants (metal, brown, blue).^[26] Deviating from the original, these calculators feature a dot-matrix display, switchable fonts and clock speeds, and, based on a Silicon Labs CP2102 converter chip,^[27] they come with a USB (Mini-B^[28]) serial interface to exchange data with a PC etc. for backup purposes (and possibly to communicate with applications like PC-based HP-16C emulators) or to update the firmware. In December 2015, SwissMicros introduced the DM16L, a version of the calculator about the same size as the original HP-16C. It still comes with a USB Mini-B connector. Powering via USB is not supported.

In July 2023, the HP Development Company, L.P.'s licensees Moravia Consulting spol. s r.o. and Royal Consumer Information Products, Inc. introduced the hp 15C Collector's Edition, which comes with an undocumented mode to emulate the HP-16C as well. The original firmware still had a bug where numbers whose hexadecimal representation ends in E or F are displayed incorrectly in decimal mode, which was fixed by a community effort in October 2023.

• List of Hewlett-Packard products § Pocket calculators
• HP calculators

• Hewlett-Packard HP-16C Computer Scientist Owner's Handbook (PDF). Hewlett-Packard Company. April 1982. 00016-90001. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-03-28. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
• Evett, Eric A. (May 1983). "A Pocket Calculator for Computer Science Professionals - This compact, yet powerful pocket calculator is designed for technical professionals working in computer science and digital electronics. Boolean operations and bit manipulation are some of its capabilities" (PDF). Hewlett-Packard Journal. 34 (5). Palo Alto, California, USA: Hewlett-Packard Company: 36–40. ISSN 0018-1153. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-09-21. Retrieved 2023-09-21. (5 pages)