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Current Divider Calculator

Calculate branch currents in parallel circuits

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Enter values in Ω, separated by commas

Result
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Formula

2 ResistorsI₁ = I × R₂/(R₁+R₂)
GeneralI_n = I × (R_eq/R_n)

Key Concept

In parallel circuits:
• Same voltage across all branches
• Current divides inversely to resistance
• Lower R = Higher I

Related

Voltage DividerResistor NetworkOhm's Law

Understanding Current Division

The current divider rule describes how current splits when flowing through parallel resistors. Unlike voltage dividers where higher resistance gets more voltage, in current dividers, lower resistance gets more current.

Why Current Divides This Way

In parallel circuits, all branches share the same voltage. By Ohm's law (I = V/R), a lower resistance allows more current to flow. Current "prefers" the path of least resistance.

Applications

Current dividers are used in current sensing, biasing circuits, load sharing between components, and understanding how current distributes in electrical networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

For two resistors: I₁ = I_total × R₂/(R₁+R₂). Notice R₂ is in the numerator for I₁ - the "opposite" resistor determines your branch current. For multiple resistors: I_n = I_total × (R_parallel/R_n).

Current divides inversely proportional to resistance. Lower resistance = more current. If one resistor is twice another, it gets twice the current. The sum of all branch currents equals the total current (Kirchhoff's Current Law).

Voltage divider (series): Higher R gets more V (directly proportional). Current divider (parallel): Lower R gets more I (inversely proportional). They're complementary - one divides voltage, the other divides current.

In parallel, voltage is the same across all branches. By Ohm's law I = V/R, if V is constant and R is smaller, I must be larger. Think of it like water through pipes - a wider pipe (lower resistance) carries more water (current).

If all parallel resistors are equal, current divides equally. With n equal resistors, each carries I_total/n. For example, 3 equal resistors each carry 1/3 of the total current.

The sum of all branch currents must equal the total current (Kirchhoff's Current Law). Also, calculate V = I × R for each branch - all should give the same voltage since they're in parallel.