About the Series Parallel Resistor Calculator
What is the Series Parallel Resistor Calculator?
This calculator combines resistors in series and parallel. In series, resistances add; in parallel, their reciprocals add, so the total is always less than the smallest resistor.
Enter any list of values separated by commas or spaces.
How to use the Series Parallel Resistor Calculator
- Resistor Values in Ω (separate with commas or spaces) (sample: 100, 220, 470)
- Press Combine Resistors (results also refresh as you type). The result card shows the Parallel Resistance, along with Series resistance, Parallel (readable), Series (readable) and Resistors combined.
Formula used
Series: R = R1 + R2 + …; Parallel: 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + …
Two equal resistors in parallel give half the value of one.
Worked example
These are the sample values already filled in the calculator above, and the result it returns for them:
| Input | Sample value |
|---|---|
| Resistor Values in Ω (separate with commas or spaces) | 100, 220, 470 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Parallel Resistance | 59.9768 Ω |
| Series resistance | 790 Ω |
| Parallel (readable) | 59.977 Ω |
| Series (readable) | 790 Ω |
| Resistors combined | 3 |
Tips for using the Series Parallel Resistor Calculator
- Combine standard values to make a non-standard resistance.
- Parallel resistors share heat, raising the total power rating.