RF Toolbox

Coaxial Line Calculator

Coaxial cable has a central conductor surrounded by a tubular outer conductor. Its characteristic impedance depends only on geometry and the dielectric. Uses closed-form equations for Z₀, phase velocity, capacitance, inductance, and cutoff frequency.

Equations & Parameters ▸
\(Z_0 = \dfrac{60}{\sqrt{\varepsilon_r}}\ln\!\dfrac{D}{d}\)
dInner conductor diameter (mm).
DOuter conductor (shield) inner diameter (mm).
εᵣDielectric constant of the insulator. PE ≈ 2.25, PTFE ≈ 2.1, foam ≈ 1.5.
Z₀Characteristic impedance = (60/√εᵣ)·ln(D/d).
vₚPhase velocity = c/√εᵣ. Sets wavelengths inside the cable.
fₓCutoff frequency of TE₁₁ mode — stay well below this.
Physical constants used
cSpeed of light = 2.998×10⁸ m/s
µ₀Permeability of free space = 4π×10⁻⁷ H/m ≈ 1.2566×10⁻⁶ H/m
ε₀Permittivity of free space = 8.854×10⁻¹² F/m
Inputs
mm
Central conductor
mm
Shield inner diameter
PE=2.25, PTFE=2.1, foam≈1.5
Results

Electrical

Characteristic impedance, Z₀
Phase velocity, vₚ
Cutoff frequency (TE₁₁)

Per-unit-length

Capacitance, C
Inductance, L
Diagram