Parallel Resistor Calculator
Calculate the equivalent resistance of two resistors in parallel.
01 / INPUTS
Ω
Ω
02 / RESULT
EQUIVALENT RESISTANCE
500 Ω
- Equivalent resistance
- 500 Ω
Calculation trace
- 1 ÷ (1 ÷ 1,000 Ω + 1 ÷ 1,000 Ω) = 500 Ω500 ΩEquivalent resistance
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How it works
For the two entered resistances, the tool computes the equivalent resistance as R = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2). Both parallel branches share the same voltage, while their currents add.
Assumptions & limits
- Calculates exactly two ideal, positive, finite resistances connected in parallel.
- Does not model resistor tolerance, temperature dependence or parasitic reactance.
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FAQ
- Why is the parallel result lower than either resistor?
- Adding a parallel branch increases total conductance, so the reciprocal equivalent resistance is smaller than either positive branch resistance.
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Related calculators
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SOURCES
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)IEC 60050 — International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (Electropedia) ↗
Parallel resistance: the reciprocal of the total equals the sum of the reciprocals
Accessed 2026-08-19
- Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM)The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition ↗
SI derived unit: ohm
Accessed 2026-08-19