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Smith Chart Calculator | Reflection Coefficient and VSWR

Enter reference impedance Z0, complex load ZL and frequency to calculate normalized impedance, reflection coefficient, VSWR and free-space wavelength. Explore the load point on an interactive Smith chart.

Parameters
Reference impedance Z_0
Ω
Load Re(Z_L)
Ω
Load Im(Z_L)
Ω
Frequency f
GHz

Frequency is only used to display the wavelength λ = c/f. It does not affect Gamma in this lossless terminal-reflection model.

Results
—
Normalized z = Z_L/Z_0
—
Reflection coefficient Γ (polar)
—
VSWR
—
Wavelength λ (free space)
Smith chart (Γ plane)

Red = constant-resistance circles (r=0.2,0.5,1,2,5) / Blue = constant-reactance circles (x=±0.2,±0.5,±1,±2,±5) / Dashed green = |Γ| circle / Yellow = current Γ

Theory & Key Formulas

The Smith chart maps the normalized impedance z = Z/Z_0 = r + j x to the reflection coefficient Γ = u + j v via a bilinear transform, displayed inside the unit circle of the Γ plane.

Reflection coefficient at the load:

$$\Gamma = \frac{Z_L - Z_0}{Z_L + Z_0} = \frac{z - 1}{z + 1}$$

Voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR):

$$\text{VSWR} = \frac{1 + |\Gamma|}{1 - |\Gamma|}$$

Constant-resistance circle (center and radius):

$$\text{center} = \left(\frac{r}{1+r},\,0\right), \qquad \text{radius} = \frac{1}{1+r}$$

Constant-reactance circle (center and radius):

$$\text{center} = \left(1,\,\frac{1}{x}\right), \qquad \text{radius} = \frac{1}{|x|}$$

The center, Γ = 0 (i.e. z = 1), is the matched point with zero reflection and VSWR = 1. Larger |Γ| means a worse match; the unit circle itself is total reflection.

TRY THE SAME CONDITIONS

Worked example

With Z0=50Ω, ZL=75+j100Ω and 2.4GHz, z=1.50+j2.00, |Γ|=0.644, VSWR=4.62 and free-space wavelength=124.9mm. Change the load to 50+j0Ω for a match: |Γ|=0 and VSWR=1.

Calculator ↑

Model and scope

Normalize the load as z=ZL/Z0, then Γ=(z−1)/(z+1) and VSWR=(1+|Γ|)/(1−|Γ|). Inputs describe one load condition; no frequency-dependent component model is inferred from them.

Questions and answers

Why does changing frequency not move the load point?

ZL and Z0 are held at the entered values. Frequency changes the displayed free-space wavelength c/f, not a modeled antenna or component impedance.

Is the displayed wavelength the wavelength inside a cable?

No. It is the free-space value. Physical cable length requires the propagation velocity or velocity factor of the transmission line.

Are VSWR=1 and infinity errors?

VSWR=1 means a perfect match. Total reflection, |Γ|=1, gives infinite VSWR as a mathematical limit. These are different physical conditions, not numerical failures by themselves.

Can this design a matching circuit or transform along a line?

This language version plots the load condition and does not automatically choose matching components. The Japanese version additionally has a lossless-line electrical-length control; language versions currently differ in scope.

Theory reference (not certification of this tool)

Analog Devices: Impedance matching and the Smith chart

Explanation updated: 6 September 2026