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Inductors in Series and Parallel Calculator

Add up to four inductors in series or in parallel to get the total inductance. Leave unused boxes empty.

SeriesParallelUp to 4 inductorsµH, mH, H
Total inductance32 µH
How this result was calculated
  1. L = 10 µH + 22 µH = 32 µH
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Inductors in Series and Parallel

Series: L = L1 + L2 + L3 + …
Parallel: 1/L = 1/L1 + 1/L2 + 1/L3 + …

These formulas assume the inductors are not magnetically coupled. Mount them apart or at right angles to keep mutual inductance small.

Worked example

10 µH and 22 µH in series give 32 µH. In parallel they give 1 ÷ (1/10 + 1/22) = 6.875 µH.

Key insight: inductors combine like resistors, the opposite of capacitors, because voltage across an inductor rises with inductance just as it does with resistance.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do inductors add in series?

Yes. With no magnetic coupling, series inductances simply add.

Why does coupling matter?

Mutual inductance M adds or subtracts 2M from the series total, depending on how the coils are wound and placed.

Is the parallel result smaller than the smallest inductor?

Yes, always, just like resistors in parallel.

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