Wire Resistance Calculator

Estimate wire resistance from wire gauge, length, material, and temperature. This calculator also estimates voltage drop, voltage drop percentage, final voltage, power loss, ohms per 1,000 feet, and comparison scenarios.

Calculate Wire Resistance

Wire resistance estimate: R = K × Length ÷ Circular Mils. Round-trip circuits use both outgoing and return conductor length.
Your result will appear here.

How the wire resistance calculator works

Wire size:
The calculator uses the selected AWG or kcmil size to estimate circular mil area.

Material:
Copper and aluminum use different resistance constants.

Length:
The calculator adjusts conductor length based on whether you choose one-way, round-trip, or three-phase estimate.

Why use a wire resistance calculator?

A wire resistance calculator helps estimate how much resistance a wire run adds to a circuit.

It can help with voltage drop estimates, power loss estimates, wire sizing, low-voltage wiring, extension cords, DC circuits, solar wiring, feeders, electronics projects, and general electrical planning.

What your result means

Your result shows estimated wire resistance, ohms per 1,000 feet, voltage drop, voltage drop percentage, final voltage, power loss, wire gauge, material, circular mils, conductor length, and comparison scenarios.

Wire resistance calculator formulas

Frequently asked questions

What is wire resistance?

Wire resistance is the opposition to electrical current as it travels through a conductor. It is measured in ohms.

Does wire length affect resistance?

Yes. Longer wire has more resistance because current travels through more conductor length.

Does wire gauge affect resistance?

Yes. Larger wire has more conductor area and usually lower resistance. In AWG sizes, smaller gauge numbers mean larger wire.

Why does resistance matter?

Resistance causes voltage drop and power loss. In long runs or high-current circuits, too much resistance can reduce performance and create heat.