Conductivity to Resistivity Calculator
Our conductivity to resistivity calculator allows you to determine the electrical resistivity of a material, given its conductivity. You can also use this tool to determine the conductivity if the resistivity is known.
Continue reading to learn what electrical resistivity and conductivity are and how to calculate resistivity from conductivity. You will also find an example of using this tool to calculate one if the other is known.
If you are interested in finding out the resistance of a conductor from its resistivity and dimensions, check out the wire resistance calculator.
Electrical resistivity and conductivity
We can define the electrical resistivity of a material as a measure of how strongly the material opposes the flow of electrical current through it. It is represented by the symbol ρ (rho).
Another crucial electrical transport property of materials is electrical conductivity. A material's electrical conductivity is its ability to conduct or transmit electricity. We use the symbol σ (sigma) to represent the conductivity.
Both conductivity and resistivity are intrinsic properties of a material, i.e., they do not depend on the dimensions of the material. Instead, they rely on the charge carrier density and temperature of the material.
How to calculate resistivity from conductivity
The electrical conductivity of a material is the reciprocal of its resistivity. Hence, to calculate resistivity from conductivity, we will use the formula:
Conductors have high conductivity and low resistivity. On the other hand, insulators have very high resistivity and low conductivity.
For example, the conductivity of silver is 6.29 × 107 (Ω·m)−1; hence we can calculate its resistivity using the conductivity formula as:
How to use the conductivity to resistivity calculator
Now let us see how we can use the conductivity to resistivity calculator to solve the same problem:
- Using the drop-down menu, choose silver as the material.
- The electrical conductivity field will auto-populate. You can also enter any custom value of conductivity.
- The tool will display the electrical resistivity of silver.
- You can also use this tool to convert resistivity to conductivity — just switch the calculation direction.
The calculator supports both the metric (SI) unit system (S/m, MS/m, S/cm, Ω·m, μΩ·cm) and the American unit system (%IACS, S/in, Ω·in, Ω·cmil/ft), so you can work in whichever units suit your project.
Resistivity and conductivity of common materials at 20°C
| Material | Resistivity ρ (Ω·m) | Conductivity σ (S/m) |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 1.59 × 10⁻⁸ | 6.30 × 10⁷ |
| Copper | 1.68 × 10⁻⁸ | 5.96 × 10⁷ |
| Gold | 2.44 × 10⁻⁸ | 4.10 × 10⁷ |
| Aluminum | 2.65 × 10⁻⁸ | 3.77 × 10⁷ |
| Iron | 9.71 × 10⁻⁸ | 1.03 × 10⁷ |
| Nichrome | 1.10 × 10⁻⁶ | 9.09 × 10⁵ |
| Carbon (graphite) | 3.50 × 10⁻⁵ | 2.86 × 10⁴ |
FAQs
How do I calculate resistivity from conductivity?
Resistivity is the reciprocal of conductivity. Divide 1 by the conductivity value: ρ = 1 / σ. For example, a conductivity of 6.29 × 10⁷ S/m gives a resistivity of 1.59 × 10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
What is the difference between resistivity and conductivity?
Resistivity (ρ) measures how strongly a material opposes electric current, while conductivity (σ) measures how easily it conducts current. They are reciprocals of each other, so a good conductor has high conductivity and low resistivity.
What units are used for resistivity and conductivity?
In the SI system, resistivity is measured in ohm-meters (Ω·m) and conductivity in siemens per meter (S/m). Other common units include Ω·cm, μΩ·cm, %IACS, and Ω·cmil/ft.
Do resistivity and conductivity depend on the size of the object?
No. Both are intrinsic properties of the material itself. They depend on the material's charge carrier density and temperature, not on its dimensions. To find the actual resistance of a conductor, use the wire resistance calculator.
Want to calculate thermal conductivity? Check out the thermal conductivity calculator.