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Series Inductors Calculator.

Calculate equivalent inductance of two uncoupled series inductors.

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02 / ANSWER

Inductance 1

Inductance 2

Equivalent inductance

0.000000H

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Use Cases

Designing filter circuits

When building LC filters or resonant circuits, you may need a specific inductance value. Combining two inductors in series can achieve the desired total inductance.

Example: If you have a 2 H and a 3 H inductor, the series combination gives 5 H.

Educational demonstrations

In physics or electronics classes, students can quickly verify that series inductors add like resistors, reinforcing fundamental circuit theory.

Example: Check that 1 H + 4 H = 5 H.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the total inductance of two series inductors?: For uncoupled inductors in series, simply add their inductance values: L_total = L1 + L2. Enter the inductance of each inductor in henries (H) and the calculator will sum them.
What does 'uncoupled' mean in this context?: Uncoupled means the inductors have no mutual inductance between them; they are not magnetically linked. This calculator assumes no coupling, so the total is just the sum of the individual inductances.
Can I use this calculator for inductors with mutual inductance?: No, this calculator is only for uncoupled inductors. If inductors are coupled, the total inductance depends on the mutual inductance and the connection (series aiding or opposing), which is not accounted for here.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure both inductors are uncoupled (no shared magnetic field) for the simple sum to be accurate.
Use consistent units: enter both inductance values in henries (H). The result will also be in henries.
For more than two inductors, you can use this calculator iteratively: combine the first two, then combine the result with the next, and so on.
Remember that in series, the same current flows through both inductors, so the total inductance is the sum of the individual inductances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to convert units: if one inductor is in millihenries and the other in henries, the result will be wrong. Convert all to henries first.
Assuming mutual inductance is zero when inductors are placed close together; if they are coupled, the total inductance is not simply the sum.
Using the formula for parallel inductors instead of series: in series, inductances add; in parallel, the reciprocal of the total is the sum of reciprocals.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Use Cases

Designing filter circuits

When building LC filters or resonant circuits, you may need a specific inductance value. Combining two inductors in series can achieve the desired total inductance.

Example: If you have a 2 H and a 3 H inductor, the series combination gives 5 H.

Educational demonstrations

In physics or electronics classes, students can quickly verify that series inductors add like resistors, reinforcing fundamental circuit theory.

Example: Check that 1 H + 4 H = 5 H.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the total inductance of two series inductors?

For uncoupled inductors in series, simply add their inductance values: L_total = L1 + L2. Enter the inductance of each inductor in henries (H) and the calculator will sum them.

What does 'uncoupled' mean in this context?

Uncoupled means the inductors have no mutual inductance between them; they are not magnetically linked. This calculator assumes no coupling, so the total is just the sum of the individual inductances.

Can I use this calculator for inductors with mutual inductance?

No, this calculator is only for uncoupled inductors. If inductors are coupled, the total inductance depends on the mutual inductance and the connection (series aiding or opposing), which is not accounted for here.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure both inductors are uncoupled (no shared magnetic field) for the simple sum to be accurate.
Use consistent units: enter both inductance values in henries (H). The result will also be in henries.
For more than two inductors, you can use this calculator iteratively: combine the first two, then combine the result with the next, and so on.
Remember that in series, the same current flows through both inductors, so the total inductance is the sum of the individual inductances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to convert units: if one inductor is in millihenries and the other in henries, the result will be wrong. Convert all to henries first.
Assuming mutual inductance is zero when inductors are placed close together; if they are coupled, the total inductance is not simply the sum.
Using the formula for parallel inductors instead of series: in series, inductances add; in parallel, the reciprocal of the total is the sum of reciprocals.

Use Cases

Designing filter circuits

When building LC filters or resonant circuits, you may need a specific inductance value. Combining two inductors in series can achieve the desired total inductance.

Example: If you have a 2 H and a 3 H inductor, the series combination gives 5 H.

Educational demonstrations

In physics or electronics classes, students can quickly verify that series inductors add like resistors, reinforcing fundamental circuit theory.

Example: Check that 1 H + 4 H = 5 H.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the total inductance of two series inductors?

For uncoupled inductors in series, simply add their inductance values: L_total = L1 + L2. Enter the inductance of each inductor in henries (H) and the calculator will sum them.

What does 'uncoupled' mean in this context?

Can I use this calculator for inductors with mutual inductance?

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure both inductors are uncoupled (no shared magnetic field) for the simple sum to be accurate.
Use consistent units: enter both inductance values in henries (H). The result will also be in henries.
For more than two inductors, you can use this calculator iteratively: combine the first two, then combine the result with the next, and so on.
Remember that in series, the same current flows through both inductors, so the total inductance is the sum of the individual inductances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to convert units: if one inductor is in millihenries and the other in henries, the result will be wrong. Convert all to henries first.
Assuming mutual inductance is zero when inductors are placed close together; if they are coupled, the total inductance is not simply the sum.
Using the formula for parallel inductors instead of series: in series, inductances add; in parallel, the reciprocal of the total is the sum of reciprocals.