Ohm's Law & Circuit Calculator

Enter any two values to solve the rest. Visual circuit sketch updates with your inputs. Use tabs for series/parallel and resistor color codes.

Ohm's Law
Results
V
I
R
P
Circuit Sketch
Blue: source (V). Orange: resistor(s) (R). Green labels show computed currents, voltages, or power per branch.
More Tools
Req = Ω
Tip: Provide source V or I in the Ohm's Law panel to estimate per-resistor power.
Req = Ω
Ω
Colors follow E12/E24; exact schemes vary by manufacturer. For teaching/estimation.
Notes
  • Ohm's Law: V = I·R; P = V·I = I²·R = V²/R.
  • Series: Req = ΣR; Parallel: 1/Req = Σ(1/R).
  • All calculations run locally in your browser; no data leaves your device.
FAQ

What is Ohm’s Law?
Ohm’s Law states that the voltage (V) across a conductor equals the current (I) through it times its resistance (R): V = I·R. It’s the core relationship used to size resistors, estimate current draw, and determine power dissipation.

How do I calculate power?
Power is the rate of energy use. Using Ohm’s Law, you can compute it as any of P = V·I, P = I²·R, or P = V²/R depending on the known quantities. Always verify a resistor’s wattage rating is above its calculated P.

What’s the difference between series and parallel?
In series, resistances add (Req = R₁+R₂+…), so current is the same everywhere and voltages divide. In parallel, conductances add (1/Req = 1/R₁+1/R₂+…), so voltage is the same across branches and currents divide.

Ohm’s Law Explained
Formulas and Units
  • Voltage V (volts, V) = Current I (amps, A) × Resistance R (ohms, Ω).
  • Power P (watts, W) = V·I = I²·R = V²/R.
  • Common prefixes: mA = 10⁻³ A, kΩ = 10³ Ω, MΩ = 10⁶ Ω.
Practical Uses
  • LED resistor sizing: R ≈ (Vsupply − Vf) / ILED; P ≈ I²·R.
  • Voltage divider: Vout = Vin · R₂/(R₁+R₂). Keep divider current high enough for load tolerance but low enough to minimize power loss.
  • Current limiting: Choose R so I = V/R stays within device ratings.
Series vs Parallel
  • Series chains raise Req and split voltage; parallel branches lower Req and split current.
  • Use series for simple current limiting and parallel for distributing current across paths.
Safety & Sizing
  • Select resistor wattage > 2× calculated P for headroom; verify temperature rise.
  • Confirm supply and component voltage/current ratings before testing a circuit.

This Ohm’s Law calculator supports voltage/current/resistance/power, series/parallel equivalent resistance, divider visualizations, and a resistor color code helper — all computed locally in your browser.

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About This Tool & Methodology

This calculator applies standard physics equations using SI units and well‑known constants where applicable. Results derive directly from the input variables and show how changing one parameter affects the others.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the core formula, variables, and their relationships.
  • Practice consistent unit handling and typical SI conversions.
  • Build intuition by exploring parameter changes and edge cases.

Authorship

  • Author: Anish Nath — Follow on X
  • Last updated: 2025-11-19

Trust & Privacy

  • All calculations run locally in your browser; nothing is uploaded.