LED Resistor Calculator

All LEDs require current limiting, without a current limiting mechanism the LED will usually burn out in under a second. Adding a simple resistor is the easiest way to limit the current. Use the calculator below to find out the value of resistor you require.

For example if you are wanting to power one of our red LEDs in an automotive application you would see that the typical forward voltage is 2.0 Volts and the maximum continuous forward current is 30mA. Therefore you would enter 14.5, 2.0 and 30 into the Single LED calculation box. After calculating you get 470ohm 1 watt as the result. Here is a link to a site that allows you to enter a resistor value and generate the corresponding color code.

Note: For automotive applications use the actual system voltage, not 12 Volts. Most 12 Volt system actually operate at around 14.5 Volts.

Single LED

Single led with single resistor
Supply Voltage
VOLTS
Voltage Drop Across LED
VOLTS
Desired LED Current
MILLIAMPS



Calculated Limiting Resistor
OHMS
Nearest higher rated 10% resistor

Calculated Resistor Wattage
WATTS
Safe pick is a resistor with
power rating of (common values are .25W, .5W, and 1W)
WATTS

LEDs in series
Several leds in series with one resistor
Supply Voltage
VOLTS
Voltage Drop Across LED
VOLTS
Desired LED Current
MILLIAMPS
How many LEDs connected




Calculated Limiting Resistor
OHMS
Nearest higher rated 10% resistor

Calculated Resistor Wattage
WATTS
Safe pick is a resistor with
power rating of (common values are .25W, .5W, and 1W)
WATTS
Thanks to Metku Mods for the resistor calculation engine.

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