Potentiometer Output

Vout = Vin × Rpos / Rtotal

Quick answer

This calculator solves Vout = Vin × Rpos / Rtotal for Output Voltage. With Input Voltage 26.4 V, Wiper Position 0.47 kΩ, Total Resistance 1.03 kΩ, the result is 12.05 V. It solves in 4 directions, so you can enter the values you have and get the one you need.

Calculator

Output Voltage (V)
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Formula

Vout = Vin × Rpos / Rtotal

Description

A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with an adjustable wiper that creates a variable voltage divider. As the wiper moves from one end to the other, the output voltage varies from 0 V to Vin. The ratio Rpos/Rtotal represents the fractional wiper position (0 to 1). Linear taper pots have uniform resistance per unit travel, while logarithmic (audio) taper pots concentrate most resistance change in the upper half of travel, matching human hearing perception. Digital potentiometers (digipots) use resistor ladders with FET switches.

Variables

  • Vout — Output voltage at the wiper (V)
  • Vin — Voltage across the full potentiometer (V)
  • Rpos — Resistance from ground to wiper (Ω)
  • Rtotal — Total end-to-end resistance (Ω)

Practical Notes

This assumes no load on the wiper. Any load resistance in parallel with the lower section will reduce Vout and introduce nonlinearity. For accurate voltage setting, use a buffer amplifier (voltage follower) on the wiper output. Common total resistances: 1 kΩ, 5 kΩ, 10 kΩ, 50 kΩ, 100 kΩ.

Symbols and units

Symbol Meaning Default unit Accepted units
Vout Output Voltage V pV, nV, µV, mV, V, kV
Vin Input Voltage V pV, nV, µV, mV, V, kV
Rpos Wiper Position Ω mΩ, Ω, kΩ, MΩ
Rtotal Total Resistance Ω mΩ, Ω, kΩ, MΩ

Step by step

  1. 1. What you know: Input Voltage 26.4 V, Wiper Position 0.47 kΩ, Total Resistance 1.03 kΩ
  2. 2. The relation: Vout = Vin × Rpos / Rtotal
  3. 3. Substitute: Vin = 26.4 V, Rpos = 0.47 kΩ, Rtotal = 1.03 kΩ
  4. 4. Result: Output Voltage = 12.05 V

Related quantities from the same inputs

  • P = V² / R = 1.483 W
  • I = V / R = 56.17 mA

Worked examples

Minimum range

Given: Input Voltage 0.726 V, Wiper Position 1 Ω, Total Resistance 2.2 Ω

Result: Output Voltage = 0.33 V

Low range

Given: Input Voltage 7.26 V, Wiper Position 10 Ω, Total Resistance 22 Ω

Result: Output Voltage = 3.3 V

Typical

Given: Input Voltage 26.4 V, Wiper Position 0.47 kΩ, Total Resistance 1.03 kΩ

Result: Output Voltage = 12.05 V

High range

Given: Input Voltage 0.506 kV, Wiper Position 4.7 kΩ, Total Resistance 10.3 kΩ

Result: Output Voltage = 0.2309 kV

Maximum range

Given: Input Voltage 5.06 kV, Wiper Position 47 kΩ, Total Resistance 103 kΩ

Result: Output Voltage = 2.309 kV

Solving for each variable

Solve for Output Voltage

Input Voltage 0.726 V, Wiper Position 1 Ω, Total Resistance 2.2 Ω → 0.33 V

Solve for Input Voltage

Output Voltage 0.33 V, Wiper Position 1 Ω, Total Resistance 2.2 Ω → 0.726 V

Solve for Wiper Position

Output Voltage 0.33 V, Input Voltage 0.726 V, Total Resistance 2.2 Ω → 1 Ω

Solve for Total Resistance

Output Voltage 0.33 V, Input Voltage 0.726 V, Wiper Position 1 Ω → 2.2 Ω

How Output Voltage changes with Input Voltage

Input Voltage (input) Output Voltage (result)
2.64 V 1.205 V
6.6 V 3.012 V
13.2 V 6.023 V
19.8 V 9.035 V
26.4 V 12.05 V
39.6 V 18.07 V
52.8 V 24.09 V
105.6 V 48.19 V
0.1848 kV 84.33 V
0.264 kV 120.5 V

The same result in other units

Unit Value
mV 12050
V 12.05
kV 0.01205

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Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate Potentiometer Output?

Use Vout = Vin × Rpos / Rtotal. With Input Voltage 26.4 V, Wiper Position 0.47 kΩ, Total Resistance 1.03 kΩ, Output Voltage works out to 12.05 V.

What is the formula for Potentiometer Output?

The formula is Vout = Vin × Rpos / Rtotal. A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with an adjustable wiper that creates a variable voltage divider.

How do you find Input Voltage when you know the other values?

Rearrange for Input Voltage: with Output Voltage 0.33 V, Wiper Position 1 Ω, Total Resistance 2.2 Ω, Input Voltage is 0.726 V.

How do you find Wiper Position when you know the other values?

Rearrange for Wiper Position: with Output Voltage 0.33 V, Input Voltage 0.726 V, Total Resistance 2.2 Ω, Wiper Position is 1 Ω.

What units does Potentiometer Output use?

Output Voltage is shown in mV, V, kV. Values are held in SI base units internally, so you can mix prefixes without converting by hand.

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