What is Ohm's Law?
Ohm's Law describes the fundamental relationship between Voltage (V), Current (I), and Resistance (R) in an electrical circuit. When combined with the power equation, it forms the Power Wheel — a comprehensive set of 12 formulas that enable you to calculate any electrical quantity from just two known values.
Ohm's Law
Voltage equals Current times Resistance
Power Equation
Power equals Voltage times Current
Who Uses This Calculator?
Students
Perfect for those studying electrical engineering or physics courses
Technicians
Essential for troubleshooting circuits and testing components
Hobbyists
Ideal for building DIY electronics and maker projects
Electricians
Useful for calculating wire sizes and load requirements
How to Use
Enter Two Known Values
The calculator provides four input fields: Voltage (V), Current (I), Resistance (R), and Power (P). Simply enter values in any two of these fields to begin your calculation.
Select the Right Unit
Each field includes a unit selector dropdown. Choose the appropriate unit for your measurement:
- Voltage: mV (millivolts), V (volts), or kV (kilovolts)
- Current: μA (microamps), mA (milliamps), or A (amps)
- Resistance: mΩ (milliohms), Ω (ohms), kΩ (kilohms), or MΩ (megohms)
- Power: mW (milliwatts), W (watts), or kW (kilowatts)
Read the Results
The remaining two values are calculated automatically and displayed in their respective fields. Input fields are marked with an Input badge, while calculated fields show a Result badge for easy identification.
Using Quick Examples
Click the Examples button to access pre-configured scenarios including LED circuits, USB charging, and household power calculations. Simply click any example to instantly load its values into the calculator.
Adjusting Precision
Use the Decimals selector to customize the number of decimal places displayed in results, ranging from 2 to 6 digits for optimal precision based on your needs.
Features
All 12 Formulas Covered
The calculator supports all six possible input combinations and automatically computes both unknown values using the appropriate formulas:
| Known Values | Calculated Results | Formulas Used |
|---|---|---|
| V + I | Resistance & Power | R = V/I, P = V×I |
| V + R | Current & Power | I = V/R, P = V²/R |
| V + P | Current & Resistance | I = P/V, R = V²/P |
| I + R | Voltage & Power | V = I×R, P = I²×R |
| I + P | Voltage & Resistance | V = P/I, R = P/I² |
| R + P | Voltage & Current | V = √(P×R), I = √(P/R) |
SI Unit Support
Work seamlessly with real-world values using standard SI prefixes. Enter 4.7kΩ directly instead of manually converting to 4700Ω. The calculator handles all unit conversions internally, saving you time and reducing errors.
Interactive Power Wheel
Formula Display
Smart Input Management
Quick Examples
Six real-world examples are built in, covering common scenarios from LED circuits (3.3V, 20mA) to household power (230V, 100W). Use them to quickly test the calculator or as a practical learning reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ohm's Law?
Ohm's Law states that the voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing through it, with resistance as the constant of proportionality: V = I × R. This fundamental law applies to most electrical circuits and components, forming the foundation of electrical engineering and circuit analysis.
What is the Power Wheel?
The Power Wheel (also called the Ohm's Law Wheel) is a circular diagram that combines Ohm's Law (V = IR) with the power equation (P = VI) to show all 12 formulas for calculating V, I, R, and P. Each quadrant of the wheel contains three formulas for one parameter, making it easy to find the right equation for any calculation.
Why can I only enter two values?
In a simple circuit, any two of the four quantities (V, I, R, P) uniquely determine the other two through mathematical relationships. Entering more than two values would either be redundant or create contradictions in the calculations. The calculator enforces this principle by keeping only the two most recent inputs, ensuring accurate and consistent results.
What units are supported?
The calculator supports standard SI prefixes across all measurements:
- Voltage: millivolts (mV) to kilovolts (kV)
- Current: microamps (μA) to amps (A)
- Resistance: milliohms (mΩ) to megaohms (MΩ)
- Power: milliwatts (mW) to kilowatts (kW)
All unit conversions are handled automatically, allowing you to work with values in their most natural form.
Why does entering 0 not produce a result?
A value of zero for voltage, current, resistance, or power leads to division by zero in most formulas, which is mathematically undefined. For example, if resistance is 0Ω, this represents a short circuit with theoretically infinite current. The calculator avoids these undefined results by requiring positive values for all inputs.
Is my data stored anywhere?
No. All calculations happen entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No data is sent to any server, and nothing is stored after you close the page. Your calculations remain completely private and secure.
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