Calculate total resistance for resistors connected in parallel. Add as many resistors as you need — the circuit is illustrated automatically.
Up to 8 resistors.
With a parallel connection, the resistors sit side by side between the same two points, so current can spread across several paths at once. Total resistance is found by adding the inverse values (1/R) and then flipping the result back:
The result is always lower than the lowest single resistor in the combination — because current gets more paths to flow through, it becomes overall easier for it to flow.
With a parallel connection, current gets several paths to flow through at the same time, making it overall easier for current to flow. That's why total resistance is always lower than the lowest single resistor in the combination.
The calculator supports up to 8 resistors in parallel. The principle is the same no matter how many: you add the inverse values (1/R) and then flip the result back.
Parallel connections are typically used in household wiring, so that each circuit gets the full supply voltage and works independently of the others — if one resistor or load fails, the rest of the circuit is unaffected.