UTILS.
100% in-browser
⏱️

555 Timer Calculator

Compute 555 astable frequency, period, duty cycle and high/low times, or the monostable pulse width.

About this tool

555 Timer Calculator is a free, in-browser tool for the classic NE555 timer chip. It finds the astable output frequency and duty cycle from R1, R2 and C, or the monostable pulse width from R and C. All calculations happen locally in your browser.

In astable mode the frequency is f = 1.44 / ((R1 + 2·R2)·C), the period is T = 1/f, and the duty cycle is (R1 + R2) / (R1 + 2·R2) × 100%. The output is high for tHigh = 0.693·(R1 + R2)·C and low for tLow = 0.693·R2·C. In monostable (one-shot) mode a single trigger produces a pulse of width T = 1.1·R·C. Resistors accept Ω, kΩ or MΩ and the capacitor accepts µF, nF or pF via the unit selectors.

Use it to design a blinker, clock or one-shot: adjust the resistors and capacitor and watch frequency, duty cycle and timing update instantly. Note the standard 555 astable duty cycle is always above 50% because R1 is in the charge path but not the discharge path.

Frequently asked questions

What is the astable frequency formula?
For the standard 555 astable, f = 1.44 / ((R1 + 2·R2)·C). The high time is 0.693·(R1 + R2)·C and the low time is 0.693·R2·C, so the period is their sum and equals 1/f.
Why can't the basic astable reach a 50% duty cycle?
Duty cycle is (R1 + R2)/(R1 + 2·R2) × 100%, which is always above 50% because the capacitor charges through R1 + R2 but discharges through only R2. Making R2 much larger than R1 pushes it close to, but never quite reaches, 50%.
How is the monostable pulse width found?
A monostable 555 outputs a single pulse of width T = 1.1·R·C after each trigger. Increase R or C for a longer pulse; the tool also shows the maximum retrigger frequency as 1/T.
Is any of this sent to a server?
No. The component values are processed entirely in your browser and nothing is uploaded; the calculator works offline.

More tools