Duty Cycle Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the pulse width in seconds (the time the signal is high/active).
2. Enter the period in seconds (the total time for one complete cycle).
3. The calculator displays the duty cycle as a percentage and ratio.
4. Use this to understand PWM signals, measure pulse characteristics, or analyze digital waveforms.

Duty Cycle Formula

Duty cycle is calculated from pulse width and period:

Example: Pulse width = 0.5ms, Period = 1ms: Duty cycle = (0.5 / 1) × 100 = 50%. This is a square wave with equal on and off times.

Full Description

Duty cycle is a fundamental concept in digital electronics and signal processing. It represents the percentage of time a signal is active (high) during one complete cycle. Duty cycle is essential for understanding PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), which uses varying duty cycles to control power, speed, brightness, and other parameters.

A 50% duty cycle means the signal is high half the time and low half the time, creating a square wave. A 25% duty cycle means the signal is high 25% of the time. Duty cycle directly affects average voltage and power: Average voltage = Peak voltage × Duty cycle. This is why PWM is so effective for controlling motors, LEDs, and other devices—changing the duty cycle changes the average power without changing the peak voltage.

This calculator helps you determine duty cycle from pulse width and period measurements. Enter the pulse width (time signal is high) and period (total cycle time), and it calculates the duty cycle percentage and ratio. Use it when analyzing digital signals, designing PWM circuits, measuring pulse characteristics, or understanding how duty cycle affects power and voltage. Duty cycle is fundamental to digital electronics and control systems.

Frequently Asked Questions