Science
Voltage drop
Estimate DC voltage drop from current, one-way length and conductor resistance.
Calculators / Technology / Wire resistance
Wire resistance calculator
Calculate resistance of a uniform wire from material resistivity, wire length and cross-sectional area; the area is entered in square millimetres.
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Resistance0.17Ω
Calculator controls
How to calculate
Calculate resistance of a uniform wire from material resistivity, wire length and cross-sectional area; the area is entered in square millimetres.
Resistance = rho*l/(a/1000000) Ω
Worked example
Resistivity (Ω·m): 1.68e-8; Wire length (m): 10; Cross-sectional area (mm²): 1.
Resistance: 0.17 Ω.
Assumptions and limits
Calculate resistance of a uniform wire from material resistivity, wire length and cross-sectional area; the area is entered in square millimetres. Uniform conductor at the temperature corresponding to the entered resistivity. Length is the total conductor path, including a return path if applicable.
Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values. Read our calculation methodology.
Understanding the result
Calculate resistance of a uniform wire from material resistivity, wire length and cross-sectional area; the area is entered in square millimetres.
When this tool is useful
Resistance = rho*l/(a/1000000) Ω
Understanding your inputs
| Input | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Resistivity (Ω·m) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Wire length (m) | Enter a number of at least 0 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Cross-sectional area (mm²) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 1000000000000. |
Frequently asked questions
What assumptions does this calculation use?
Calculate resistance of a uniform wire from material resistivity, wire length and cross-sectional area; the area is entered in square millimetres. Uniform conductor at the temperature corresponding to the entered resistivity. Length is the total conductor path, including a return path if applicable.
How is the result calculated?
Resistance = rho*l/(a/1000000) Ω