Voltage Divider: 12V Down to 5V
Calculate the output voltage of a voltage divider using common resistor values to step 12V down toward 5V.
How to use this tool
- Enter input voltage (vin), r1 (top resistor) and r2 (bottom resistor) in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your output voltage (vout) and the full breakdown beneath it.
Use a resistor voltage divider to step a 12V supply down to approximately 5V for lower-voltage circuits.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does the output voltage change when I connect a load?
- A load in parallel with R2 reduces the effective resistance, dropping Vout. For accurate division, the load resistance should be much larger than R2 (≥10×).
- How do I choose R1 and R2 for a target Vout?
- Rearrange: R1/R2 = (Vin − Vout)/Vout. Pick a convenient R2, then calculate R1.