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.

Input voltage (V)

Required number input.

Output voltage (V)

Required number input.

Duty cycle

Optional number input.

Inductance (H)

Required number input.

Switching frequency (Hz)

Required number input.

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

Ripple current (A)

The resulting ripple 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.

• Buck Ripple Current

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

• Boost Duty Cycle

  Compute the ideal boost converter duty cycle percent as (1 - Vin/Vout) x 100.

• Buck-Boost Duty

  Compute the inverting buck-boost duty cycle percent as |Vout| / (Vin + |Vout|) x 100.