Conductivity to Resistivity Calculator

Conductivity and Resistivity

Electrical conductivity ($\sigma$) measures how easily a material conducts current. Electrical resistivity ($\rho$) measures how strongly a material opposes current flow. They are reciprocal intrinsic properties that depend on charge carrier density and temperature.

Conversion Formula

Conductivity and resistivity are inverses:

$$\rho = \frac{1}{\sigma}$$ $$\sigma = \frac{1}{\rho}$$

SI units:

Conductivity: siemens per meter (S/m), equivalent to $(\Omega \cdot \text{m})^{-1}$
Resistivity: ohm-meter ($\Omega \cdot \text{m}$)

Example: copper has $\sigma \approx 5.96 \times 10^7\,\text{S/m}$, so $\rho \approx 1.68 \times 10^{-8}\,\Omega \cdot \text{m}$.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert conductivity to resistivity?

Take the reciprocal: $\rho = 1/\sigma$. For copper with $\sigma = 5.96 \times 10^7\,\text{S/m}$, resistivity is $1.68 \times 10^{-8}\,\Omega \cdot \text{m}$.

Which material has the highest conductivity?

Silver has the highest conductivity among common metals at about $6.29 \times 10^7\,\text{S/m}$, followed closely by copper.

Does resistivity change when a wire is stretched?

Resistivity is an intrinsic material property. Stretching changes length and cross-section (affecting total resistance), but resistivity itself stays the same.

What is the conductivity of copper?

About $5.96 \times 10^7\,\text{S/m}$ at room temperature, making it one of the best practical conductors.

Why do insulators have high resistivity?

Insulators have very few free charge carriers, so current flows poorly. Their resistivity can be $10^{12}\,\Omega \cdot \text{m}$ or higher.

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Conductivity and Resistivity

Conversion Formula

Frequently Asked Questions

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