diff --git a/src/java.base/share/classes/java/text/DecimalFormat.java b/src/java.base/share/classes/java/text/DecimalFormat.java
index ba7846ea404..2260684d6ee 100644
--- a/src/java.base/share/classes/java/text/DecimalFormat.java
+++ b/src/java.base/share/classes/java/text/DecimalFormat.java
@@ -84,9 +84,18 @@ import sun.util.locale.provider.ResourceBundleBasedAdapter;
  * the {@code NumberFormat} factory methods, the pattern and symbols are
  * read from localized {@code ResourceBundle}s.
  *
- * <h2>Patterns</h2>
+ * <h2 id="patterns">Patterns</h2>
  *
- * {@code DecimalFormat} patterns have the following syntax:
+ * Note: For any given {@code DecimalFormat} pattern, if the pattern is not
+ * in scientific notation, the maximum number of integer digits will not be
+ * derived from the pattern, and instead set to {@link Integer#MAX_VALUE}.
+ * Otherwise, if the pattern is in scientific notation, the maximum number of
+ * integer digits will be derived from the pattern. This derivation is detailed
+ * in the {@link ##scientific_notation Scientific Notation} section. This behavior
+ * is the typical end-user desire; {@link #setMaximumIntegerDigits(int)} can be
+ * used to manually adjust the maximum integer digits.
+ *
+ * <p> {@code DecimalFormat} patterns have the following syntax:
  * <blockquote><pre>
  * <i>Pattern:</i>
  *         <i>PositivePattern</i>
@@ -245,7 +254,7 @@ import sun.util.locale.provider.ResourceBundleBasedAdapter;
  * </table>
  * </blockquote>
  *
- * <h3>Scientific Notation</h3>
+ * <h3 id="scientific_notation">Scientific Notation</h3>
  *
  * <p>Numbers in scientific notation are expressed as the product of a mantissa
  * and a power of ten, for example, 1234 can be expressed as 1.234 x 10^3.  The
@@ -449,6 +458,8 @@ public class DecimalFormat extends NumberFormat {
      * for the default {@link java.util.Locale.Category#FORMAT FORMAT} locale.
      * This is a convenient way to obtain a
      * DecimalFormat when internationalization is not the main concern.
+     * The number of maximum integer digits is usually not derived from the pattern.
+     * See the note in the {@link ##patterns Patterns} section for more detail.
      * <p>
      * To obtain standard formats for a given locale, use the factory methods
      * on NumberFormat such as getNumberInstance. These factories will
@@ -474,6 +485,8 @@ public class DecimalFormat extends NumberFormat {
      * Creates a DecimalFormat using the given pattern and symbols.
      * Use this constructor when you need to completely customize the
      * behavior of the format.
+     * The number of maximum integer digits is usually not derived from the pattern.
+     * See the note in the {@link ##patterns Patterns} section for more detail.
      * <p>
      * To obtain standard formats for a given
      * locale, use the factory methods on NumberFormat such as
@@ -3298,9 +3311,8 @@ public class DecimalFormat extends NumberFormat {
      * These properties can also be changed individually through the
      * various setter methods.
      * <p>
-     * There is no limit to integer digits set
-     * by this routine, since that is the typical end-user desire;
-     * use setMaximumInteger if you want to set a real value.
+     * The number of maximum integer digits is usually not derived from the pattern.
+     * See the note in the {@link ##patterns Patterns} section for more detail.
      * For negative numbers, use a second pattern, separated by a semicolon
      * <P>Example {@code "#,#00.0#"} &rarr; 1,234.56
      * <P>This means a minimum of 2 integer digits, 1 fraction digit, and
@@ -3325,9 +3337,8 @@ public class DecimalFormat extends NumberFormat {
      * These properties can also be changed individually through the
      * various setter methods.
      * <p>
-     * There is no limit to integer digits set
-     * by this routine, since that is the typical end-user desire;
-     * use setMaximumInteger if you want to set a real value.
+     * The number of maximum integer digits is usually not derived from the pattern.
+     * See the note in the {@link ##patterns Patterns} section for more detail.
      * For negative numbers, use a second pattern, separated by a semicolon
      * <P>Example {@code "#,#00.0#"} &rarr; 1,234.56
      * <P>This means a minimum of 2 integer digits, 1 fraction digit, and