Calculate the electrical resistance of a wire based on material, length, and size.
Wire Properties
Electrical Resistance
Enter wire properties to calculate resistance
About this calculator
Quick Reference
RResistance (Ohms, Ω)
ρResistivity (Ohm-meters, Ω·m)
LLength (meters, m)
AArea (square meters, m²)
Copper ρ1.68 × 10⁻⁸ Ω·m
Overview
Resistance measures how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. It depends directly on the material's resistivity and length, and inversely on its cross-sectional area.
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Pro Tips
Use Copper for general electrical wiring calculations.
Resistance increases as length increases.
Resistance decreases as the wire gets thicker (larger area).
Resistivity values are typically given at room temperature (20°C).
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Fun Facts
"Silver is the most conductive element, but Copper is used more often because it's cheaper."
"A wire with zero resistance is called a superconductor, but this usually requires extreme cold."
"If you double the length of a wire, you double its resistance."
