Impedance MatchingRF Design

The Smith Chart

The Smith chart is a map that helps engineers find the shortest path from 'mismatched' to 'perfectly matched' — a GPS for impedance matching.

Interactive Smith Chart — Design a Matching Network
Click the buttons to add lumped elements and watch the impedance point (red dot) trace a path on the chart. The green trail shows your matching network steps. Goal: move the point to the chart centre (50 Ω, matched).
SCOCSmith ChartΓ=(-0.27,-0.59)

Normalised Z

0.30 + j-0.60

|Γ| / Return Loss

0.644 / 3.8 dB

VSWR

4.62 : 1

Steps taken

0
Core Concepts

Quick Reference
Smith Chart key relationships
Reflection coefficientΓ = (Z − Z₀) / (Z + Z₀)
Return lossRL = −20 log₁₀|Γ| dB
VSWRVSWR = (1 + |Γ|) / (1 − |Γ|)
Mismatch lossML = −10 log₁₀(1 − |Γ|²) dB
Series L on chartMoves up constant-r circle
Shunt C on chartMoves along constant-g circle
Related Tools
Put these concepts to work

Impedance Matching

Design L, Pi, and T matching networks with real-time Smith chart display

VSWR Calculator

Convert between VSWR, return loss, reflection coefficient, and mismatch loss