Physics

555 Timer Calculator

Find the frequency and duty cycle of an astable 555 timer.

Parameters Live Compute
Calculated Output
Frequency (Hz) 68.571
Duty cycle (%) 52.381
Formula: f = 1.44 ÷ ((R₁ + 2R₂)·C)
Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. Values used:
2. R₁ = 1,000 Ω
3. R₂ = 10,000 Ω
4. Capacitance = 1 µF
5.
6. Frequency = 68.571Hz
7. Duty cycle = 52.381%
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The 555 timer in astable mode generates a continuous square-wave oscillation.

The math behind it

f = 1.44 ÷ ((R₁ + 2R₂)·C). Duty cycle = (R₁ + R₂) ÷ (R₁ + 2R₂).

Worked Example

R₁ = 1 kΩ, R₂ = 10 kΩ, C = 1 µF → about 68.6 Hz, 52% duty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't duty go below 50%?

In the standard astable circuit the charge path is always longer; a diode mod fixes this.

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