💠 Shockley Diode Calculator
Calculate diode current using the Shockley ideal diode equation, based on applied voltage, saturation current, ideality factor, and temperature.
What is the Shockley diode equation?
The Shockley ideal diode equation describes how current flows through a p-n junction diode as a function of the voltage applied across it. It’s the foundational model behind how diodes, LEDs, and transistor junctions behave electrically.
The formula
The equation is I = Is × (eV/(nVt) – 1), where Is is the reverse saturation current, V is the applied voltage, n is the ideality factor (typically between 1 and 2, depending on the diode), and Vt is the thermal voltage, Vt = kT/q (about 25.85 mV at room temperature).
Enter the voltage across the diode, its saturation current, ideality factor, and operating temperature to estimate the resulting current. This is an idealized model for education and general reference — real diodes also have series resistance and other effects not captured by this equation alone.