Resistance Calculator

This calculator can be used to determine the AC or DC resistance of common power/signal conductor configurations. DC resistances are calculated using the formula R= length / (conductivity x cross sectional area). AC resistances are calculated using the formula R = length / (conductivity x skin depth x cross sectional perimeter) when the skin depth is small relative to the dimensions of the cross section. Note that AC resistance calculations assume the current is uniformly distributed around the perimeter of the conductor. In situations where this assumption is not valid (e.g. a wide trace very close to a ground plane), the AC resistance will be slightly higher than the calculated value.

Please select a geometric configuration from the choices below.

Standard Gauge Wire	PCB Trace
Rectangular Conductor	Round Conductor

The original version of this calculator was developed by Daniel Fain as an ECE635 Project. Since then, a few enhancements have been made by other ECE635 students.