Last Updated on January 18, 2022 by Krunal Shah (Mod)
When you only have one LED and need to know which resistor to use, an LED series resistor calculator is helpful to you.
Over current may burn the LED. The resistor limits the current flowing through the LED.
How to use this calculator?
- For this calculator, enter the supply voltage in volts.
- Enter the forward voltage in volts. You can know the forward voltage of an LED from it’s datasheet given by manufacturer (recommended). In case you can’t find refer the below table.
- Enter the value of forward current from datasheet.
- The calculator would show automatically the calculated value.
Brief Overview on LED Series resistor
Every light emitting diode (LED) can safely handle a certain amount of current. Even if only for a short time, exceeding the maximum current will harm the LED. As a result, using a series resistor to limit the current through the LED is a popular and straightforward approach. This approach is not suitable for high-current LEDs, which require a more dependable switching current regulator.
This calculator will assist you in determining the value of the resistor to connect in series with the LED in order to limit the current flow.
How to calculate the value of LED Series Resistor?
In order to calculate the value of the resistor, you’ll need to acquire some information about your LED from its data sheet.
You need to figure out the LED’s Forward Voltage (Vf) and forward current (If).
The voltage necessary to bias the LED to turn on is given by Vf.
The voltage of the power supply that will be used to power the LED is also required.
Now, use the information gathered and put values in the following formula:
R = (Vs – Vf) / If
where,
R = resistor value in ohms
Vs = Supply voltage in volts
Vf = forward voltage in volts
If = forward current in mA
Application of LED Series Resistor
- Majority of electronics circuits where LEDs are used.
