Duty Cycle Calculator
Calculate the duty cycle of a periodic signal from its on-time and period, or frequency and pulse width.
µs
µs
Duty Cycle
50.0 %
Off Time500.000 µs
Frequency1,000.0 Hz
Duty Ratio0.5000
Duty Cycle vs On Time (Pulse Width)
What is Duty Cycle?
Duty cycle is the fraction of one period during which a signal is in its active (high) state.
Formula
Duty Cycle = On Time / Period x 100%
Off Time = Period - On Time
Duty cycle is fundamental to PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), which controls motor speed, LED brightness, and power delivery by varying the on-time while keeping frequency constant.
Example Calculation
A 1 kHz signal with 500 microsecond on-time.
- 01Duty cycle: 500 / 1000 x 100 = 50.0%
- 02Off time: 1000 - 500 = 500 microseconds
- 03Frequency: 1,000,000 / 1000 = 1000 Hz
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More
Ohm's Law Guide
A complete guide to Ohm's Law. Learn the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance, with practical examples, the power triangle, and circuit analysis tips.