diff --git a/.hermes/plans/2026-06-06_103000-fsize-issue-3-fix.md b/.hermes/plans/2026-06-06_103000-fsize-issue-3-fix.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a04aee4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.hermes/plans/2026-06-06_103000-fsize-issue-3-fix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+# FSize __format__ empty spec fix Implementation Plan
+
+> **For Hermes:** Use subagent-driven-development skill to implement this plan task-by-task.
+
+**Goal:** Fix issue #3: format(fsize, "") should equal str(fsize) by returning str(self) when format_spec is empty.
+
+**Architecture:** Add an early guard clause in FSize.__format__ to handle empty format_spec, preserving existing behavior for non-empty specs.
+
+**Tech Stack:** Python, pytest.
+
+---
+
+### Task 1: Write failing test for empty format spec
+
+**Objective:** Add a test that verifies format(x, "") == str(x) for various FSize values.
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: (none)
+- Modify: tests/test_fsize_init.py: (add test function)
+- Test: tests/test_fsize_init.py
+
+**Step 1: Write failing test**
+
+```python
+def test_format_empty_spec():
+    """Test that format with empty string equals str."""
+    x = FSize(1024)
+    assert format(x, "") == str(x)
+    assert f"{x}" == str(x)  # f-string with no spec
+    # Test with different units
+    y = FSize(1, "MiB")
+    assert format(y, "") == str(y)
+    z = FSize(1, "KB")
+    assert format(z, "") == str(z)
+```
+
+**Step 2: Run test to verify failure**
+
+Run: .venv/bin/pytest tests/test_fsize_init.py::test_format_empty_spec -v
+
+Expected: FAIL — because format(x, "") currently returns K-unit value.
+
+**Step 3: Write minimal implementation**
+
+Modify src/fsize/__init__.py in __format__ method:
+
+Add at the very beginning of the method:
+
+```python
+    def __format__(self, format_spec: str) -> str:
+        """Format the FSize value."""
+        if not format_spec:
+            return str(self)
+        # ... rest of existing code unchanged
+```
+
+**Step 4: Run test to verify pass**
+
+Run: .venv/bin/pytest tests/test_fsize_init.py::test_format_empty_spec -v
+
+Expected: PASS
+
+**Step 5: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add src/fsize/__init__.py tests/test_fsize_init.py
+git commit -m "fix: handle empty format spec in __format__"
+```
+
+### Task 2: Run full test suite to ensure no regressions
+
+**Objective:** Ensure all existing tests still pass after the change.
+
+**Files:**
+- Test: run full pytest
+
+**Step 1: Run all tests**
+
+Run: .venv/bin/pytest -v
+
+Expected: all tests pass
+
+**Step 2: Commit if any changes (should be none)**
+
+If any test fails, investigate and fix.
+
+### Task 3: Verify with mypy and pylint
+
+**Objective:** Ensure code passes type checking and linting.
+
+**Files:**
+- Check: run mypy and pylint
+
+**Step 1: Run mypy**
+
+Run: .venv/bin/mypy .
+
+Expected: no errors
+
+**Step 2: Run pylint**
+
+Run: .venv/bin/pylint .
+
+Expected: no errors (or only existing ones? but we assume none)
+
+**Step 3: Commit if any fixes needed**
+
+If errors, fix them and commit.
+
+### Task 4: Update documentation if needed (optional)
+
+**Objective:** Ensure any docstrings or comments are accurate.
+
+**Files:**
+- Possibly modify src/fsize/__init__.py docstring for __format__ to mention empty spec behavior.
+
+But the existing docstring says default is "K". We might want to note that empty spec returns str(self). However, the issue description says Python's data model requires format(x, "") == str(x). We can update docstring.
+
+We'll add a note.
+
+**Step 1: Update docstring**
+
+In __format__ docstring, add a line: "An empty format_spec returns str(self) as per Python's data model."
+
+**Step 2: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add src/fsize/__init__.py
+git commit -m "doc: clarify __format__ behavior for empty spec"
+```
+
+### Task 5: Final verification
+
+Run full test suite, mypy, pylint one more time.
+
+Then consider the task complete.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/fsize/__init__.py b/src/fsize/__init__.py
index be419c8..21df579 100644
--- a/src/fsize/__init__.py
+++ b/src/fsize/__init__.py
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ def __format__(self, format_spec: str) -> str:
             raise AssertionError(f"unhandled unit: {unit!r}")
         n = self.real / self._convert ** _UNIT_POWERS[unit]
 
-        log_digits = math.ceil(math.log10(n)) if n > 0 else 0
+        log_digits = math.floor(math.log10(n)) + 1 if n > 0 else 0
         out_format_spec = (
             f"{fill}{align}{width}{grouping}"
             + "."
diff --git a/tests/test_fsize_init.py b/tests/test_fsize_init.py
index c2646d1..6379031 100755
--- a/tests/test_fsize_init.py
+++ b/tests/test_fsize_init.py
@@ -442,6 +442,13 @@ def test_format_empty_spec():
     assert format(z, "") == str(z)
 
 
+def test_format_no_scientific_notation():
+    """Test that exact powers of 10 do not produce scientific notation."""
+    assert format(FSize(10 * 1024), "K") == "10"
+    assert format(FSize(100 * 1024), "K") == "100"
+    assert format(FSize(1000 * 1024), "K") == "1000"
+
+
 def test_format_all_units():
     """Test that every unit in _UNIT_POWERS works via format."""
     # Binary FSize (1 EiB)