Voltage Divider Calculator
Enter the source voltage Vin together with the upper resistor R₁ and the lower resistor R₂; the calculator applies the voltage-divider rule Vout = Vin × R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂) to give the ideal tap voltage, the drop across R₁, the loop current and the power dissipated in each resistor — helpful for choosing the right ¼W or ½W part. Useful for designing reference voltages, scaling sensor outputs, ADC front-ends and simple level shifters.
Enter valid numbers. R₁ and R₂ must be ≥ 0 and cannot both be 0.
Output voltage Vout
3.84 V
Measured across R₂ — i.e. the divider tap referenced to ground.
Divider ratio R₂ ÷ (R₁+R₂)
31.97 %
—
Loop current I
—
Total power dissipated
—
Power in R₁
—
Power in R₂
—
Formula
Vout = Vin × R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂) | I = Vin ÷ (R₁ + R₂) | Pn = I² × Rn
Values are auto-formatted with SI prefixes (k, m, µ). If you connect a load to the tap, the real Vout sags below this ideal value — a common rule of thumb is to keep the load impedance ≥ 10 × (R₁ ∥ R₂) so the error stays under 10 %.
Formula
Vout = Vin × R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂) I = Vin ÷ (R₁ + R₂) P_total = Vin × I = Vin² ÷ (R₁ + R₂) P₁ = I² × R₁ P₂ = I² × R₂
- · The formula follows directly from Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's voltage law: two series resistors share the same current, so the voltage across each is proportional to its resistance.
- · Results are unloaded ideals. Connect a load R_L to the tap and Vout sags below this value; the rule of thumb is to keep R_L ≥ 10 × (R₁ ∥ R₂) so the loaded error stays under ~10 %.
- · Larger resistor values save power (the loop current is smaller) but are more vulnerable to noise, leakage and input-bias currents; typical dividers use 1 kΩ – 100 kΩ.
- · Power dissipation drives package choice: 0603 SMD ≈ 100 mW, 0805 ≈ 125 mW, 1206 ≈ 250 mW; through-hole ¼ W is 250 mW, ½ W is 500 mW. Derate to ≤ 50 % of the rating for long life.
- · The tool assumes a purely resistive divider at DC or low frequencies. For AC signals you also need to account for any reactive elements (capacitance, inductance) and the bandwidth they introduce.
- · References: Hambley, "Electrical Engineering: Principles and Applications"; Sedra & Smith, "Microelectronic Circuits"; Texas Instruments App Note SBOA268 — "Voltage divider design".
Frequently asked
What is the voltage-divider rule and why does this formula work?
Two series resistors R₁ and R₂ carry the same current I (Kirchhoff's current law). Ohm's law gives the drop across each as I × R. The loop current is I = Vin ÷ (R₁ + R₂), so Vout (across R₂) = I × R₂ = Vin × R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂). The drop across R₁ is Vin × R₁ ÷ (R₁ + R₂); the two add up to Vin (KVL).
How do I pick the actual values of R₁ and R₂?
First fix the ratio you need (e.g. dropping 12 V to 5 V means R₂ ÷ (R₁+R₂) ≈ 0.417). Then choose the total R₁+R₂ to control current: typical dividers use 1 kΩ – 100 kΩ — too low wastes power, too high is noisy and sensitive to leakage. Pick the closest standard E12 / E24 / E96 values and verify Vout and power dissipation here. Finally check the load: if its input impedance R_L < 10 × (R₁ ∥ R₂), either shrink R₁/R₂ or buffer the tap with an op-amp.
Why does the real Vout drop below this value once I connect a load?
This tool gives the unloaded ideal. As soon as a load R_L sits across R₂, the bottom branch becomes R₂ ∥ R_L (a smaller parallel value than R₂), which lowers the divider ratio. For example, the 3.84 V output from 12 V · 10 kΩ · 4.7 kΩ collapses to ~0.91 V when a 1 kΩ load is attached (R₂ ∥ R_L ≈ 825 Ω). Fix it by shrinking R₁ and R₂, or buffering the tap with an op-amp voltage follower.
Can I use this to drop USB 5 V down to 3.3 V to power an ESP32?
No. A resistor divider is only suitable for static, very-low-current taps (e.g. providing a reference voltage to an ADC). Powering a microcontroller (an ESP32 draws 100–500 mA) collapses the divider instantly and overheats the resistors. Use a regulator instead — an LDO like AMS1117-3.3, or a buck converter. Voltage-divider use cases stay around: scaling a 12 V signal into the 3.3 V ADC window, button-press level sensing and simple voltage references.
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