Inductor formula tool

Inductive Reactance Calculator

Calculate XL from frequency and inductance for inductor, coil, motor, and AC impedance worksheet notes.

Calculate Inductive Reactance

Solve inductive reactance from frequency and inductance, or estimate inductance from a target XL value.

Result

Reactance

37.7 ohm

Result notes. Keep inputs, assumptions, and result together before using this value in project records.

Keep the entered values, assumptions, and result together when adding this calculation to job notes or submittal records. Final installation choices should align with the applicable code edition, equipment listing, manufacturer instructions, local amendments, and AHJ requirements.

Formula and field context

Calculate XL from frequency and inductance for inductor, coil, motor, and AC impedance worksheet notes.

Formula context

Inductor Reactance Chart

Inductive reactance is XL = 2 pi f L: 100 mH at 60 Hz = 37.7 ohms, while 10 mH at 1 kHz = 62.8 ohms. Reactance rises as frequency or inductance increases. Use this chart after the calculator result to separate ideal reactance from real coil behavior such as winding resistance, saturation, current rating, and core material.

Formula

XL = 2 x pi x f x L. Ideal AC current estimate: I = V / XL.

Variables to keep with the result

  • XL is inductive reactance in ohms.
  • f is frequency in hertz.
  • L is inductance in henries.
  • Winding resistance is separate from reactance and must be added in real impedance checks.

Formula and variables

Inductive reactance is XL = 2 x pi x f x L. Frequency is entered in hertz, inductance is converted from millihenries to henries inside the worksheet, and the result is in ohms. Because frequency is multiplied directly, the same coil has higher reactance at 60 Hz than it has at a lower control frequency, and much higher reactance in harmonic or switching-frequency notes.

U.S. field context and example

This calculation is useful when reviewing coils, chokes, filters, solenoids, transformer magnetizing branches, or AC impedance notes where inductance is already known. For example, a 100 mH coil at 60 Hz has XL = 2 x pi x 60 x 0.1, or about 37.7 ohms. Keep frequency, inductance source, component tolerance, and operating condition with the result so the number is not separated from the assumptions that produced it.

Assumptions and limits

XL is an ideal reactance term. A real inductor also has winding resistance, core losses, saturation behavior, temperature effects, and frequency limits. Use the full inductor or impedance calculator when resistance, reactance, phase angle, quality factor, or combined R-L-C behavior must be reviewed together. Do not treat the reactance result as a final equipment approval or thermal rating.

Common mistakes

Common errors include entering millihenries as henries, using a reactance value at the wrong frequency, ignoring winding resistance, and applying a signal-frequency component value to a 60 Hz power circuit without checking the component rating. For motor, transformer, or power-factor work, pair the reactance note with nameplate data and the broader power-system calculations.

Common Questions

Does inductive reactance rise with frequency?
Yes. XL is directly proportional to frequency, so an inductor has higher reactance as frequency increases.
Is inductive reactance the same as winding resistance?
No. XL is the AC reactance term. Winding resistance is a real copper-loss term and should be reviewed separately when losses or heating matter.
Can this be used with 60 Hz power circuits?
Yes, when inductance is known and the worksheet is limited to reactance. Equipment ratings, saturation, insulation, and temperature limits still need separate review.