Potentiometer Taper Calculator
Wiper resistance vs rotation for linear, audio-log and reverse-log pots — plus the loaded-linear fake-log trick computed live.
Real “log” pots are two linear segments approximating a log curve, so expect ±20 % deviation from the ideal law mid-travel. The loaded-linear trick adds loading error to the source driving the pot — keep the source impedance low. For volume controls the goal is equal LOUDNESS steps: A-taper at ~50 % rotation ≈ −20 dB, which sounds “half as loud”.
Potentiometer Taper Calculator computes wiper resistance vs rotation for linear, audio (log) and reverse-log pots — free, instant and private in your browser. Audio builders, synth DIYers and anyone replacing a scratchy volume control use it to skip the datasheet algebra: type your numbers, read the answer with the substituted formula shown step by step, and share an exact permalink of the calculation.
About Potentiometer Taper Calculator
Potentiometer Taper Calculator computes wiper resistance vs rotation for linear, audio (log) and reverse-log pots using the standard engineering relation: linear: R = x·Rt; audio: R ≈ Rt·(10^(2x)−1)/99; plus the loaded-linear fake-log divider. Worked live: an A-taper 10 kΩ volume pot at 50 % rotation passes only ~10 % of track resistance — that's why it sounds 'right'. The result recalculates on every keystroke, the worked-example panel shows your numbers substituted into the formula, and the Copy permalink button encodes the inputs in the URL so a colleague opens exactly your calculation. Everything runs client-side — nothing you type leaves your device.
How to use Potentiometer Taper Calculator
- 1Enter your values — the tool starts with realistic defaults for this exact use case, so the worked example is meaningful immediately.
- 2Read the live result and the worked-example panel, which substitutes your numbers into the formula step by step.
- 3Adjust any input to compare scenarios, then use Copy result or Copy permalink to share the calculation.
Why use Potentiometer Taper Calculator?
- ✓Implements the real formula — linear: R = x·Rt — with the substitution shown, not a black box
- ✓Built for audio builders, synth DIYers and anyone replacing a scratchy volume control
- ✓Copy result and permalink buttons — share the exact calculation in a README, forum answer or design review
- ✓100% free, no sign-up, runs entirely in your browser (works offline once loaded)
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate potentiometer taper?+
Wiper resistance vs rotation for linear, audio (log) and reverse-log pots follows linear: R = x·Rt; audio: R ≈ Rt·(10^(2x)−1)/99; plus the loaded-linear fake-log divider. For example, an A-taper 10 kΩ volume pot at 50 % rotation passes only ~10 % of track resistance — that's why it sounds 'right'. The calculator applies the same relation and shows the substituted arithmetic so you can verify every step.
Why does a linear pot make a terrible volume control?+
Hearing is logarithmic: equal loudness steps need equal dB steps. A linear pot crams most of the audible change into the first quarter-turn. The A (audio) taper approximates an exponential so rotation maps to loudness — or load a linear pot to fake it.
How does the resistor-loading trick fake a log taper?+
A resistor of about Rt/5 from wiper to ground bends a linear divider's curve toward exponential. It's good enough for most gear; the cost is extra loading on whatever drives the pot, so keep the source impedance low.
Is the Potentiometer Taper Calculator free and private?+
Yes — completely free with no sign-up or usage limits, and it runs entirely in your browser: the values you enter are never uploaded or stored on a server.
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