hobbybench

Ohm's Law Wheel

Four quantities, each with three ways to reach it. Hover or tap any formula and it explains itself on the right.

I × RP ÷ I√(P × R)VvoltsV ÷ RP ÷ V√(P ÷ R)IampsV ÷ IV² ÷ PP ÷ I²RohmsV × IV² ÷ RI² × RPwattsOHM'SLAW
V = I × R

Pick a formula

Each colored quarter belongs to one quantity, and its three outer cells are the three ways to calculate it. Move over any of them for the plain-language version.

Where the twelve come from

There are only two laws here: V = I × R and P = V × I. Substituting one into the other, then solving for each quantity in turn, produces exactly twelve arrangements. The wheel saves you doing that algebra at the bench with a hot iron in one hand.

The three that matter most

If you memorize nothing else: V = I × R sizes resistors, P = V × I tells you what runs hot, and P = I² × R explains why slightly thinner wire gets dramatically warmer. Everything else on the wheel is convenience.

Prefer to type numbers? The Ohm's law calculator solves all four at once on a live circuit.