Skin Depth Calculator

Numerical inputs are not error trapped.

Skin Depth of microstrip - RF Cafe This JavaScript skin depth calculator takes as inputs the frequency, resistivity (ρ), and relative permeability (μ_r). Calculated values do not change until the "Calculate" button is clicked.

It uses the standard textbook equation to compute the skin depth. An explanation can be found here.

Skin depth equation formula - RF Cafe

Skin Depth of round wire - RF Cafe Since data sources for materials properties typically present permeability in term of relative permeability (μ_r), that is what is used for input in the calculator.

Most typical materials used for signal and power carrying cables - e.g., copper, aluminum - have a relative permeability of 1. Materials with magnetic properties such as steel and iron have relative permeabilities ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands.

Here is a table of materials with values.

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