RC Circuit Calculator

Physics

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Analyzes circuits containing resistors and capacitors, calculating time constants and charge/discharge behavior.

More tools:Science & Lab Calculators

How To Use

How to use this calculator

Start with your values, or try a preset.

Step 1

Enter Resistance (R), Capacitance (C), Initial Voltage (V₀), and Time (t) in the units shown.

Step 2

Read Time Constant (τ), Current (I) at Time t (Discharge), Charge (Q) at Time t (Discharge), and Voltage (V) at Time t (Discharge) in the results panel. Results update as you change the inputs.

Step 3

Choose a preset to load an example, then adjust the values for your situation.

Worked Examples

Example calculations

See the inputs and their calculated results.

Example 1

Resistance (R): 1,000 ohms; Capacitance (C): 0.000001 farads; Initial Voltage (V₀): 5 volts; Time (t): 0.001 seconds

Time Constant (τ): 0.001 seconds; Current (I) at Time t (Discharge): 0.001839397206 amperes; Charge (Q) at Time t (Discharge): 0.000001839397206 coulombs; Voltage (V) at Time t (Discharge): 1.839397206 volts

Example 2

Resistance (R): 2,000 ohms; Capacitance (C): 0.000002 farads; Initial Voltage (V₀): 10 volts; Time (t): 0.002 seconds

Time Constant (τ): 0.004 seconds; Current (I) at Time t (Discharge): 0.003032653299 amperes; Charge (Q) at Time t (Discharge): 0.00001213061319 coulombs; Voltage (V) at Time t (Discharge): 6.065306597 volts

Example 3

Resistance (R): 500 ohms; Capacitance (C): 0.0000001 farads; Initial Voltage (V₀): 1 volts; Time (t): 0.0001 seconds

Time Constant (τ): 0.00005 seconds; Current (I) at Time t (Discharge): 0.0002706705665 amperes; Charge (Q) at Time t (Discharge): 0.00000001353352832 coulombs; Voltage (V) at Time t (Discharge): 0.1353352832 volts

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