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Bridge Rectifier Calculator.

Calculate ideal full-wave bridge output using an explicit RMS source, two-diode drop, load, and line frequency.

On-device calculationNo signup
01

Set your values

Results update as you type.

Input peak voltage: 16.97056275 V

Input peak voltage

0.00000000V
Output peak voltage: 15.57056275 V

Output peak voltage

0.00000000V
Average DC output: 9.91252811 V

Average DC output

0.00000000V
Average load current: 0.09912528 A

Average load current

0.00000000A
Ripple frequency: 100 Hz

Ripple frequency

0.00000000Hz

Results update automatically as you type.

This is the constant-forward-drop, full-wave bridge average model. It does not size diodes, capacitors, wiring, or safety systems.

Use Cases

Power supply design

Quickly estimate the DC output and ripple of a bridge rectifier for a given transformer RMS voltage and load, aiding in component selection.

Example: Design a 12V DC supply from a 12V RMS transformer with 0.7V diode drops and a 100Ω load.

Educational verification

Verify textbook calculations for full-wave bridge rectifier circuits in electronics courses.

Example: Check the DC output for a 120V RMS, 60Hz source with 0.7V diode drops and a 1kΩ load.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this bridge rectifier calculator compute?
It computes the ideal full-wave bridge rectifier output parameters: average DC voltage, DC current, ripple voltage, and ripple factor, based on the source RMS voltage, forward drop per diode, load resistance, and line frequency you enter.
How is the DC output voltage calculated?
The calculator first converts the RMS voltage to peak voltage (Vpeak = Vrms × √2). Then it subtracts two diode drops (one for each conducting diode in the bridge) to get the peak output voltage. The average DC voltage is approximately 2 × Vpeak / π for a full-wave rectifier.
What is ripple voltage and why does it matter?
Ripple voltage is the residual AC fluctuation on the DC output. It depends on the load resistance, frequency, and capacitance (if any). This calculator estimates the ripple for a given load and frequency, helping you assess the smoothness of the output.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

  • Enter the RMS voltage of your AC source, not the peak voltage.
  • Use the typical forward drop for your diodes (e.g., 0.7V for silicon, 0.3V for Schottky).
  • For accurate ripple estimates, ensure the load resistance and frequency are realistic for your circuit.
  • Remember this is an ideal calculation; real diodes have additional losses and tolerances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using peak voltage instead of RMS voltage for the source.
  • Subtracting only one diode drop instead of two (since two diodes conduct in a bridge).
  • Ignoring the effect of load resistance on ripple voltage.

Last updated: August 13, 2026