Loaded potentiometer calculator

Calculate potentiometer output, loading error and output resistance at any wiper position.

Schematic

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Results

Output voltage2 V

Output versus wiper position

LoadedUnloaded

Unloaded output	2.5 V
Loading voltage loss	500 mV
Load current	200 µA

Advanced results

Unloaded output resistance	2.5 kΩ
Upper track segment	5 kΩ
Lower track segment	5 kΩ
Track dissipation	2.6 mW

How loaded potentiometer works

The wiper divides the resistive track into an upper and lower segment. A load from the wiper to ground sits in parallel with the lower segment and reduces the output. Position is measured from the grounded end: 0% is ground and 100% approaches the supply.

V_{out}=V_1\frac{R_{lower}\parallel R_1}{R_{upper}+R_{lower}\parallel R_1}

Linear potentiometer with a resistive load. Both the calculator and native model retain a 1 mΩ minimum segment resistance at the end stops. Contact resistance and power ratings are otherwise excluded.

Change the form inputs or click a component value on the schematic. Choose Try in CircuitSim to simulate the configured circuit.

Do the math

Selected input values
RV1 — Total track resistance	10 kΩ
RV1 — Wiper position from ground	50 %
R1	10 kΩ
V1	5 V

Lower segment: $R_{lower}=\max(1\,\mathrm{m\Omega},R_Tp/100)$
$\max(1\,\mathrm{m\Omega},10\,\mathrm{k\Omega}\times 50/100)$
≈ 5 kΩ
Loaded lower resistance: $R_P=R_{lower}\parallel R_1$
$\frac{5\,\mathrm{k\Omega}\times 10\,\mathrm{k\Omega}}{15\,\mathrm{k\Omega}}$
≈ 3.33 kΩ
Output voltage: $V_{out}=V_1R_P/(R_{upper}+R_P)$
$5\,\mathrm{V}\times\frac{3.33\,\mathrm{k\Omega}}{8.33\,\mathrm{k\Omega}}$
≈ 2 V

Loaded potentiometer calculator

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How loaded potentiometer works

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