⚡ Voltage Divider Calculator

A voltage divider calculator is used to determine the output voltage in a resistive voltage divider circuit. It helps engineers and hobbyists calculate resistor values needed to achieve a specific voltage output from a higher input voltage, commonly used in sensor circuits, reference voltages, and logic level conversion.

Our voltage divider calculator provides theoretical accuracy up to 6 decimal places. However, practical accuracy depends on resistor tolerance (typically ±1% to ±5%), temperature effects, and load current. For precision applications, use 1% tolerance resistors and consider the load impedance effects.

This calculator is designed for DC voltage dividers using resistors. For AC applications, you'll need to consider impedance rather than just resistance, especially with capacitive or inductive components. The basic voltage division principle remains the same for AC resistive circuits.

Ignoring load current is the most common mistake in voltage divider design. When current flows to your load, it affects the output voltage. For accurate results, ensure your load impedance is at least 10 times higher than R2, or use our current calculations to account for loading effects.

Differences between calculated and measured voltages typically occur due to: resistor tolerance (±5% can cause significant variations), temperature effects, load current drawing additional current, or multimeter input impedance affecting the measurement. Use precision resistors for critical applications.

Yes, but exercise extreme caution with high voltages above 50V. Ensure proper power ratings for resistors, consider safety margins, and use appropriate safety measures. The calculator works for voltages up to 1000V, but always follow electrical safety protocols for high voltage work.

Choose resistor values based on your current requirements and power constraints. Higher resistance values reduce current consumption but may be more susceptible to noise and loading effects. Lower values provide better stability but consume more power. A good rule of thumb is to keep the total current between 1mA and 10mA.

A voltage divider splits input voltage proportionally using series resistors, while a current divider splits input current using parallel resistors. Voltage dividers are used to reduce voltage levels, whereas current dividers distribute current among different branches of a circuit.