Enter your RTD Type, Coefficient Standard, and either a known RTD Resistance or Temperature — then the RTD Calculator converts between the two in whichever direction you need, while also returning the Thermometer Sensitivity (dR/dT) and Nominal Resistance at 0°C for your selected sensor.
Calculated Result
--
Thermometer Sensitivity (dR/dT)
--
Nominal Resistance at 0°C
--
RTD sensors measure temperature by detecting changes in electrical resistance. Converting resistance to temperature provides the actual temperature reading needed for process control, monitoring, and safety applications in industrial settings.
The numbers indicate the nominal resistance at 0°C: PT100 has 100Ω, PT500 has 500Ω, and PT1000 has 1000Ω. Higher resistance RTDs provide better sensitivity and accuracy but may be more susceptible to lead wire resistance errors.
The temperature coefficient α represents how much the resistance changes per degree of temperature change. α = 0.00385 is the IEC 751 standard for platinum RTDs, meaning resistance increases by 0.385% per °C.
RTD calculations using standard coefficients are highly accurate, typically within ±0.1°C for industrial applications. Accuracy depends on the RTD quality, calibration, measurement electronics, and proper installation.
Thermometer sensitivity represents the rate of resistance change per degree of temperature change at a specific temperature. It's measured in ohms per degree (Ω/°C) and indicates how responsive the RTD is to temperature changes.
This calculator is designed for standard platinum RTDs (PT100, PT500, PT1000) with common coefficient values. For custom RTDs or non-standard materials, you would need the specific coefficients for your sensor.
Platinum RTDs can typically measure from -200°C to +850°C, though the exact range depends on the construction and application. This calculator supports the full industrial temperature range for standard RTDs.