Use this electronics calculation for a first-pass component, converter, signal, motor, or sensor estimate when the stated operating conditions and units match the device data.

Load current (A)

Required number input.

Ripple current (A)

Required number input.

Compute peak inductor current as the load current plus half of the inductor ripple current. The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.^[1]

Peak current (A)

The resulting peak current returned as a number.

• Inductor calculations depend on core material, air gap, turns, frequency, waveform, temperature, DC bias, copper resistance, skin and proximity effects, fringing, and saturation definition. Small-signal inductance and nominal current rating may not describe switching operation.
• Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Check the result against the current datasheet and worst-case operating corners, then verify the circuit or measurement with simulation and bench testing where failure matters.

• RMS Inductor Current

  Compute RMS inductor current as sqrt(I_load^2 + I_ripple^2 / 12) for a triangular ripple waveform.

• Buck Ripple Current

  Compute buck converter inductor peak-to-peak ripple current as (Vin - Vout) x D / (L x f).

• Inductor Ripple Current

  Compute switching converter inductor ripple current as (Vin - Vout) x duty / (L x f).