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Boost Converter Calculator — Duty Cycle, Input Current & Ideal Power
Estimate ideal boost-converter duty cycle, output power, input current and conversion loss from input/output voltage, load current and efficiency.
Last updated: September 16, 2026
Results
Ideal duty cycle 58.33333%
Output power 12 W
Estimated input current 2.666667 A
Estimated loss 1.333333 W
Formula, example and assumptions
D≈1−Vin/Vout; Pout=Vout·Iout; Pin≈Pout/η; Iin≈Pin/Vin.
5 V to 12 V gives an ideal duty cycle of about 58.3%.
- Continuous-conduction ideal boost relationship.
- Inductor ripple, switch/diode loss, ESR, current limit and control-loop constraints are not modeled.
Frequently asked questions
Why does boost input current rise?
Power is approximately conserved, so raising voltage means the input must supply more current than the output, plus losses.
Can a boost step voltage down?
Not with the basic topology; use buck or buck-boost for that job.