How to use the pedal power calculator
- Add each pedal: pick a typical type from the list or add a custom one, then type the mA from its label.
- Set the voltage (9, 12, 18 or 24V) and the polarity. Almost all modern pedals are 9V center-negative.
- Read the total, the supply size and the advice. Plan one or two spare outputs for future pedals.
Typical pedal current draw (check your label)
| Pedal type | Typical draw | Usual power |
|---|---|---|
| Analog overdrive / distortion | 5–20 mA | 9V |
| Fuzz (silicon / germanium) | 1–10 mA | 9V, some germanium center + |
| Tuner pedal | 30–100 mA | 9V |
| Analog chorus / phaser | 10–40 mA | 9V |
| Analog (BBD) delay | 20–60 mA | 9V |
| Compact digital delay / reverb | 50–150 mA | 9V |
| Large digital delay / reverb | 250–500 mA | 9V |
| Looper | 80–150 mA | 9V |
| Amp modeler / multi-effects | 500–3,000 mA | 9V or 12V, check manual |
Typical ranges taken from the power specs manufacturers print on pedals and in their manuals. Individual models vary a lot, so the number on your pedal always wins.
Isolated vs daisy chain power
A daisy chain runs several pedals from one adapter. It’s cheap and fine for two or three analog 9V pedals. But every pedal shares one ground and one current limit, so digital pedals can inject whine, and one hungry pedal can starve the rest. An isolated supply gives each outlet its own transformer winding, so pedals can’t share noise. It also lets you run 12V or 18V pedals and reverse polarity safely.
Worked example: a worship board
A tuner (about 60 mA), an overdrive (10 mA), a compact digital delay (100 mA) and a large reverb (300 mA) total 470 mA. Add 25% and you want at least 600 mA total, with one outlet that can give 300 mA or more. With two digital pedals on board, an isolated supply with 6 or more outputs is the safe pick and leaves room to grow.
Tips
- More mA is safe, more volts isn’t. A pedal draws only what it needs; over-voltage can damage it.
- Center-positive pedals (often vintage-style germanium fuzz) need a polarity-reversing cable on an isolated outlet.
- Keep power cables short and away from patch cables to cut hum.
- Building a board? See how to build a pedalboard and our worship pedalboard setup.