CircuiTikZ
version 1.8.6-unreleased (2026/02/10)

$\newcommand{\footnotename}{footnote}$ $\def \LWRfootnote {1}$ $\newcommand {\footnote }[2][\LWRfootnote ]{{}^{\mathrm {#1}}}$ $\newcommand {\footnotemark }[1][\LWRfootnote ]{{}^{\mathrm {#1}}}$ $\let \LWRorighspace \hspace $ $\renewcommand {\hspace }{\ifstar \LWRorighspace \LWRorighspace }$ $\newcommand {\TextOrMath }[2]{#2}$ $\newcommand {\mathnormal }[1]{{#1}}$ $\newcommand \ensuremath [1]{#1}$ $\newcommand {\LWRframebox }[2][]{\fbox {#2}} \newcommand {\framebox }[1][]{\LWRframebox } $ $\newcommand {\setlength }[2]{}$ $\newcommand {\addtolength }[2]{}$ $\newcommand {\setcounter }[2]{}$ $\newcommand {\addtocounter }[2]{}$ $\newcommand {\arabic }[1]{}$ $\newcommand {\number }[1]{}$ $\newcommand {\noalign }[1]{\text {#1}\notag \\}$ $\newcommand {\cline }[1]{}$ $\newcommand {\directlua }[1]{\text {(directlua)}}$ $\newcommand {\luatexdirectlua }[1]{\text {(directlua)}}$ $\newcommand {\protect }{}$ $\def \LWRabsorbnumber #1 {}$ $\def \LWRabsorbquotenumber "#1 {}$ $\newcommand {\LWRabsorboption }[1][]{}$ $\newcommand {\LWRabsorbtwooptions }[1][]{\LWRabsorboption }$ $\def \mathchar {\ifnextchar "\LWRabsorbquotenumber \LWRabsorbnumber }$ $\def \mathcode #1={\mathchar }$ $\let \delcode \mathcode $ $\let \delimiter \mathchar $ $\def \oe {\unicode {x0153}}$ $\def \OE {\unicode {x0152}}$ $\def \ae {\unicode {x00E6}}$ $\def \AE {\unicode {x00C6}}$ $\def \aa {\unicode {x00E5}}$ $\def \AA {\unicode {x00C5}}$ $\def \o {\unicode {x00F8}}$ $\def \O {\unicode {x00D8}}$ $\def \l {\unicode {x0142}}$ $\def \L {\unicode {x0141}}$ $\def \ss {\unicode {x00DF}}$ $\def \SS {\unicode {x1E9E}}$ $\def \dag {\unicode {x2020}}$ $\def \ddag {\unicode {x2021}}$ $\def \P {\unicode {x00B6}}$ $\def \copyright {\unicode {x00A9}}$ $\def \pounds {\unicode {x00A3}}$ $\let \LWRref \ref $ $\renewcommand {\ref }{\ifstar \LWRref \LWRref }$ $ \newcommand {\multicolumn }[3]{#3}$ $\require {textcomp}$ $\newcommand {\tothe }[1]{^{#1}}$ $\newcommand {\raiseto }[2]{{#2}^{#1}}$ $\newcommand {\LWRsiunitxEND }{}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxang #1;#2;#3;#4\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#1}{}{\num {#1}\degree }\ifblank {#2}{}{\num {#2}^{\unicode {x2032}}}\ifblank {#3}{}{\num {#3}^{\unicode {x2033}}}}$ $\newcommand {\ang }[2][]{\LWRsiunitxang #2;;;\LWRsiunitxEND }$ $\def \LWRsiunitxdistribunit {}$ $\newcommand {\LWRsiunitxENDTWO }{}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxprintdecimalsubtwo #1,#2,#3\LWRsiunitxENDTWO {\ifblank {#1}{0}{\mathrm {#1}}\ifblank {#2}{}{{\LWRsiunitxdecimal }\mathrm {#2}}}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxprintdecimalsub #1.#2.#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\LWRsiunitxprintdecimalsubtwo #1,,\LWRsiunitxENDTWO \ifblank {#2}{}{{\LWRsiunitxdecimal }\LWRsiunitxprintdecimalsubtwo #2,,\LWRsiunitxENDTWO }}$ $\newcommand {\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal }[1]{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimalsub #1...\LWRsiunitxEND }$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumplus #1+#2+#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#1}}{\ifblank {#1}{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#2}}{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#1}\unicode {x02B}\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#2}}}\LWRsiunitxdistribunit }$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumminus #1-#2-#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnumplus #1+++\LWRsiunitxEND }{\ifblank {#1}{}{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#1}}\unicode {x02212}\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#2}\LWRsiunitxdistribunit }}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumpmmacro #1\pm #2\pm #3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnumminus #1---\LWRsiunitxEND }{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#1}\unicode {x0B1}\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#2}\LWRsiunitxdistribunit }}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumpm #1+-#2+-#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnumpmmacro #1\pm \pm \pm \LWRsiunitxEND }{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#1}\unicode {x0B1}\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#2}\LWRsiunitxdistribunit }}$ $\newcommand {\LWRsiunitxnumscientific }[2]{\ifblank {#1}{}{\ifstrequal {#1}{-}{-}{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#1}\times }}10^{\LWRsiunitxprintdecimal {#2}}\LWRsiunitxdistribunit }$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumD #1D#2D#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnumpm #1+-+-\LWRsiunitxEND }{\mathrm {\LWRsiunitxnumscientific {#1}{#2}}}}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumd #1d#2d#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnumD #1DDD\LWRsiunitxEND }{\mathrm {\LWRsiunitxnumscientific {#1}{#2}}}}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumE #1E#2E#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnumd #1ddd\LWRsiunitxEND }{\mathrm {\LWRsiunitxnumscientific {#1}{#2}}}}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnume #1e#2e#3\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnumE #1EEE\LWRsiunitxEND }{\mathrm {\LWRsiunitxnumscientific {#1}{#2}}}}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxnumx #1x#2x#3x#4\LWRsiunitxEND {\ifblank {#2}{\LWRsiunitxnume #1eee\LWRsiunitxEND }{\ifblank {#3}{\LWRsiunitxnume #1eee\LWRsiunitxEND \times \LWRsiunitxnume #2eee\LWRsiunitxEND }{\LWRsiunitxnume #1eee\LWRsiunitxEND \times \LWRsiunitxnume #2eee\LWRsiunitxEND \times \LWRsiunitxnume #3eee\LWRsiunitxEND }}}$ $\newcommand {\num }[2][]{\LWRsiunitxnumx #2xxxxx\LWRsiunitxEND }$ $\newcommand {\si }[2][]{\mathrm {\gsubstitute {#2}{~}{\,}}}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxSIopt #1[#2]#3{\def \LWRsiunitxdistribunit {\,\si {#3}}{#2}\num {#1}\def \LWRsiunitxdistribunit {}}$ $\newcommand {\LWRsiunitxSI }[2]{\def \LWRsiunitxdistribunit {\,\si {#2}}\num {#1}\def \LWRsiunitxdistribunit {}}$ $\newcommand {\SI }[2][]{\ifnextchar [{\LWRsiunitxSIopt {#2}}{\LWRsiunitxSI {#2}}}$ $\newcommand {\numlist }[2][]{\text {#2}}$ $\newcommand {\numrange }[3][]{\num {#2}\ \LWRsiunitxrangephrase \ \num {#3}}$ $\newcommand {\SIlist }[3][]{\text {#2}\,\si {#3}}$ $\newcommand {\SIrange }[4][]{\num {#2}\,#4\ \LWRsiunitxrangephrase \ \num {#3}\,#4}$ $\newcommand {\tablenum }[2][]{\mathrm {#2}}$ $\newcommand {\ampere }{\mathrm {A}}$ $\newcommand {\candela }{\mathrm {cd}}$ $\newcommand {\kelvin }{\mathrm {K}}$ $\newcommand {\kilogram }{\mathrm {kg}}$ $\newcommand {\metre }{\mathrm {m}}$ $\newcommand {\mole }{\mathrm {mol}}$ $\newcommand {\second }{\mathrm {s}}$ $\newcommand {\becquerel }{\mathrm {Bq}}$ $\newcommand {\degreeCelsius }{\unicode {x2103}}$ $\newcommand {\coulomb }{\mathrm {C}}$ $\newcommand {\farad }{\mathrm {F}}$ $\newcommand {\gray }{\mathrm {Gy}}$ $\newcommand {\hertz }{\mathrm {Hz}}$ $\newcommand {\henry }{\mathrm {H}}$ $\newcommand {\joule }{\mathrm {J}}$ $\newcommand {\katal }{\mathrm {kat}}$ $\newcommand {\lumen }{\mathrm {lm}}$ $\newcommand {\lux }{\mathrm {lx}}$ $\newcommand {\newton }{\mathrm {N}}$ $\newcommand {\ohm }{\mathrm {\Omega }}$ $\newcommand {\pascal }{\mathrm {Pa}}$ $\newcommand {\radian }{\mathrm {rad}}$ $\newcommand {\siemens }{\mathrm {S}}$ $\newcommand {\sievert }{\mathrm {Sv}}$ $\newcommand {\steradian }{\mathrm {sr}}$ $\newcommand {\tesla }{\mathrm {T}}$ $\newcommand {\volt }{\mathrm {V}}$ $\newcommand {\watt }{\mathrm {W}}$ $\newcommand {\weber }{\mathrm {Wb}}$ $\newcommand {\day }{\mathrm {d}}$ $\newcommand {\degree }{\mathrm {^\circ }}$ $\newcommand {\hectare }{\mathrm {ha}}$ $\newcommand {\hour }{\mathrm {h}}$ $\newcommand {\litre }{\mathrm {l}}$ $\newcommand {\liter }{\mathrm {L}}$ $\newcommand {\arcminute }{^\prime }$ $\newcommand {\minute }{\mathrm {min}}$ $\newcommand {\arcsecond }{^{\prime \prime }}$ $\newcommand {\tonne }{\mathrm {t}}$ $\newcommand {\astronomicalunit }{au}$ $\newcommand {\atomicmassunit }{u}$ $\newcommand {\bohr }{\mathit {a}_0}$ $\newcommand {\clight }{\mathit {c}_0}$ $\newcommand {\dalton }{\mathrm {D}_\mathrm {a}}$ $\newcommand {\electronmass }{\mathit {m}_{\mathrm {e}}}$ $\newcommand {\electronvolt }{\mathrm {eV}}$ $\newcommand {\elementarycharge }{\mathit {e}}$ $\newcommand {\hartree }{\mathit {E}_{\mathrm {h}}}$ $\newcommand {\planckbar }{\mathit {\unicode {x210F}}}$ $\newcommand {\angstrom }{\mathrm {\unicode {x212B}}}$ $\let \LWRorigbar \bar $ $\newcommand {\bar }{\mathrm {bar}}$ $\newcommand {\barn }{\mathrm {b}}$ $\newcommand {\bel }{\mathrm {B}}$ $\newcommand {\decibel }{\mathrm {dB}}$ $\newcommand {\knot }{\mathrm {kn}}$ $\newcommand {\mmHg }{\mathrm {mmHg}}$ $\newcommand {\nauticalmile }{\mathrm {M}}$ $\newcommand {\neper }{\mathrm {Np}}$ $\newcommand {\yocto }{\mathrm {y}}$ $\newcommand {\zepto }{\mathrm {z}}$ $\newcommand {\atto }{\mathrm {a}}$ $\newcommand {\femto }{\mathrm {f}}$ $\newcommand {\pico }{\mathrm {p}}$ $\newcommand {\nano }{\mathrm {n}}$ $\newcommand {\micro }{\mathrm {\unicode {x00B5}}}$ $\newcommand {\milli }{\mathrm {m}}$ $\newcommand {\centi }{\mathrm {c}}$ $\newcommand {\deci }{\mathrm {d}}$ $\newcommand {\deca }{\mathrm {da}}$ $\newcommand {\hecto }{\mathrm {h}}$ $\newcommand {\kilo }{\mathrm {k}}$ $\newcommand {\mega }{\mathrm {M}}$ $\newcommand {\giga }{\mathrm {G}}$ $\newcommand {\tera }{\mathrm {T}}$ $\newcommand {\peta }{\mathrm {P}}$ $\newcommand {\exa }{\mathrm {E}}$ $\newcommand {\zetta }{\mathrm {Z}}$ $\newcommand {\yotta }{\mathrm {Y}}$ $\newcommand {\percent }{\mathrm {\%}}$ $\newcommand {\meter }{\mathrm {m}}$ $\newcommand {\metre }{\mathrm {m}}$ $\newcommand {\gram }{\mathrm {g}}$ $\newcommand {\kg }{\kilo \gram }$ $\newcommand {\of }[1]{_{\mathrm {#1}}}$ $\newcommand {\squared }{^2}$ $\newcommand {\square }[1]{\mathrm {#1}^2}$ $\newcommand {\cubed }{^3}$ $\newcommand {\cubic }[1]{\mathrm {#1}^3}$ $\newcommand {\per }{\,\mathrm {/}}$ $\newcommand {\celsius }{\unicode {x2103}}$ $\newcommand {\fg }{\femto \gram }$ $\newcommand {\pg }{\pico \gram }$ $\newcommand {\ng }{\nano \gram }$ $\newcommand {\ug }{\micro \gram }$ $\newcommand {\mg }{\milli \gram }$ $\newcommand {\g }{\gram }$ $\newcommand {\kg }{\kilo \gram }$ $\newcommand {\amu }{\mathrm {u}}$ $\newcommand {\pm }{\pico \metre }$ $\newcommand {\nm }{\nano \metre }$ $\newcommand {\um }{\micro \metre }$ $\newcommand {\mm }{\milli \metre }$ $\newcommand {\cm }{\centi \metre }$ $\newcommand {\dm }{\deci \metre }$ $\newcommand {\m }{\metre }$ $\newcommand {\km }{\kilo \metre }$ $\newcommand {\as }{\atto \second }$ $\newcommand {\fs }{\femto \second }$ $\newcommand {\ps }{\pico \second }$ $\newcommand {\ns }{\nano \second }$ $\newcommand {\us }{\micro \second }$ $\newcommand {\ms }{\milli \second }$ $\newcommand {\s }{\second }$ $\newcommand {\fmol }{\femto \mol }$ $\newcommand {\pmol }{\pico \mol }$ $\newcommand {\nmol }{\nano \mol }$ $\newcommand {\umol }{\micro \mol }$ $\newcommand {\mmol }{\milli \mol }$ $\newcommand {\mol }{\mol }$ $\newcommand {\kmol }{\kilo \mol }$ $\newcommand {\pA }{\pico \ampere }$ $\newcommand {\nA }{\nano \ampere }$ $\newcommand {\uA }{\micro \ampere }$ $\newcommand {\mA }{\milli \ampere }$ $\newcommand {\A }{\ampere }$ $\newcommand {\kA }{\kilo \ampere }$ $\newcommand {\ul }{\micro \litre }$ $\newcommand {\ml }{\milli \litre }$ $\newcommand {\l }{\litre }$ $\newcommand {\hl }{\hecto \litre }$ $\newcommand {\uL }{\micro \liter }$ $\newcommand {\mL }{\milli \liter }$ $\newcommand {\L }{\liter }$ $\newcommand {\hL }{\hecto \liter }$ $\newcommand {\mHz }{\milli \hertz }$ $\newcommand {\Hz }{\hertz }$ $\newcommand {\kHz }{\kilo \hertz }$ $\newcommand {\MHz }{\mega \hertz }$ $\newcommand {\GHz }{\giga \hertz }$ $\newcommand {\THz }{\tera \hertz }$ $\newcommand {\mN }{\milli \newton }$ $\newcommand {\N }{\newton }$ $\newcommand {\kN }{\kilo \newton }$ $\newcommand {\MN }{\mega \newton }$ $\newcommand {\Pa }{\pascal }$ $\newcommand {\kPa }{\kilo \pascal }$ $\newcommand {\MPa }{\mega \pascal }$ $\newcommand {\GPa }{\giga \pascal }$ $\newcommand {\mohm }{\milli \ohm }$ $\newcommand {\kohm }{\kilo \ohm }$ $\newcommand {\Mohm }{\mega \ohm }$ $\newcommand {\pV }{\pico \volt }$ $\newcommand {\nV }{\nano \volt }$ $\newcommand {\uV }{\micro \volt }$ $\newcommand {\mV }{\milli \volt }$ $\newcommand {\V }{\volt }$ $\newcommand {\kV }{\kilo \volt }$ $\newcommand {\W }{\watt }$ $\newcommand {\uW }{\micro \watt }$ $\newcommand {\mW }{\milli \watt }$ $\newcommand {\kW }{\kilo \watt }$ $\newcommand {\MW }{\mega \watt }$ $\newcommand {\GW }{\giga \watt }$ $\newcommand {\J }{\joule }$ $\newcommand {\uJ }{\micro \joule }$ $\newcommand {\mJ }{\milli \joule }$ $\newcommand {\kJ }{\kilo \joule }$ $\newcommand {\eV }{\electronvolt }$ $\newcommand {\meV }{\milli \electronvolt }$ $\newcommand {\keV }{\kilo \electronvolt }$ $\newcommand {\MeV }{\mega \electronvolt }$ $\newcommand {\GeV }{\giga \electronvolt }$ $\newcommand {\TeV }{\tera \electronvolt }$ $\newcommand {\kWh }{\kilo \watt \hour }$ $\newcommand {\F }{\farad }$ $\newcommand {\fF }{\femto \farad }$ $\newcommand {\pF }{\pico \farad }$ $\newcommand {\K }{\mathrm {K}}$ $\newcommand {\dB }{\mathrm {dB}}$ $\newcommand {\kibi }{\mathrm {Ki}}$ $\newcommand {\mebi }{\mathrm {Mi}}$ $\newcommand {\gibi }{\mathrm {Gi}}$ $\newcommand {\tebi }{\mathrm {Ti}}$ $\newcommand {\pebi }{\mathrm {Pi}}$ $\newcommand {\exbi }{\mathrm {Ei}}$ $\newcommand {\zebi }{\mathrm {Zi}}$ $\newcommand {\yobi }{\mathrm {Yi}}$ $\let \unit \si $ $\let \qty \SI $ $\let \qtylist \SIlist $ $\let \qtyrange \SIrange $ $\let \numproduct \num $ $\let \qtyproduct \SI $ $\let \complexnum \num $ $\newcommand {\complexqty }[3][]{(\complexnum {#2})\si {#3}}$ $\newcommand {\toprule }[1][]{\hline }$ $\let \midrule \toprule $ $\let \bottomrule \toprule $ $\def \LWRbooktabscmidruleparen (#1)#2{}$ $\newcommand {\LWRbooktabscmidrulenoparen }[1]{}$ $\newcommand {\cmidrule }[1][]{\ifnextchar (\LWRbooktabscmidruleparen \LWRbooktabscmidrulenoparen }$ $\newcommand {\morecmidrules }{}$ $\newcommand {\specialrule }[3]{\hline }$ $\newcommand {\addlinespace }[1][]{}$ $\require {upgreek}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxrangephrase {\TextOrMath { }{\ }\protect \mbox {to}\TextOrMath { }{\ }}$ $\def \LWRsiunitxdecimal {.}$

8 FAQ: Frequently asked questions

8.1 Using named nodes in circuits

Q: When I use a node to name a connection in the circuit, I have gaps in the wires! I am sure it used to work!

A: This is explained in 1.10. The fast answer is that in a hurry, use the 1.1.2 fallback point with:

\usepackage{circuitikz-1.1.2}

in your preamble.

But really, your circuit definition is buggy, so the best thing to do is fix that; if you want to name a point in your circuit, you should use a coordinate, not a node.¹⁴⁸ Here is a small tutorial on why you should change your circuit.

Nodes, in TikZ, normally have a non-zero size even when they are empty; moreover, connections are supposed to join the border of nodes. Please study the following (pure TikZ, not CircuiTikZ):

 \begin{tikzpicture}
     \path (1,1) node (A){}; % empty node at (1,1)
     \draw (1,0) -- (A) -- (2,1); % surprise!
\end{tikzpicture}

(-tikz- diagram)

The gap is there because the node has a non-zero size (more in detail, its inner sep is by default different from zero). You can see it easily if you draw the node shape:

 \begin{tikzpicture}
     \path (1,1) node [draw=red](A){};
     \draw (1,0) -- (A) -- (2,1);
\end{tikzpicture}

(-tikz- diagram)

The problem is that when you want to name a coordinate, in the sense of a dimensionless point, you should use a coordinate, not a node!

 \begin{tikzpicture}
     \path (1,1) coordinate (A); % give a name to (1,1)
     \draw (1,0) -- (A) -- (2,1);% now it's ok!
\end{tikzpicture}

(-tikz- diagram)

Now, before version 1.2.1 (and since around 0.6), CircuiTikZ was detecting when a connection was between nodes and sort-of added a node.center movement to the path. That in turn generated the need of hacks to draw the correct joining of lines, because that kind of movement broke the continuity of the path, like in this example:

     \begin{tikzpicture}[line width=4pt]
     \path (1,1) node (A){};
     \draw (1,0) -- (A.center) (A) (A.center) -- (2,1);
\end{tikzpicture}

(-tikz- diagram)

You can see more examples and more reasonings on GitHub; start from the issue detecting the join problem, then look at the merged fix; you can follow several issues and discussions from there, but for example there are circuits that can’t be drawn with the “hack” in, like this one.

So finally it was decided¹⁴⁹ to remove the change, to simplify the code and to make the package more maintainable.

¹⁴⁸ Yes, I understand from where the confusion arise — in circuit theory they are called nodes.

¹⁴⁹ well, Romano decided, so you can blame him. I do not think that workarounds to correct malformed circuits are really maintainable; just see the bunch of code removed by the patch! — Romano.

8.2 Using dashed (or colored) wires in circuits

Q: How can I make part of the wires dashed (or colored)? This does not work:

 \begin{circuitikz}
     \draw (0,0) to[R] ++(2,0)
     to[short, dashed, red] ++(1,0)
     to [R] ++(2,0); % surprise!
\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

Nor this one, which is even stranger:

 \begin{circuitikz}
     \draw (0,0) to[R] ++(2,0)
     [dashed, red] -- ++(1,0)
     to [R] ++(2,0); % surprise!
\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

A: This is an effect on how TikZ builds and draws path. As explained in the TikZ manual,¹⁵⁰ most path options are globally valid for the whole path; color and dash/dot is one of this. You have two options in this case. The first one is to use two paths.

 \begin{circuitikz}
     \draw (0,0) to[R] ++(2,0) coordinate(a);
     \draw [dashed, red] (a) -- ++(1,0) coordinate(b);
     \draw (b) to [R] ++(2,0);
\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

The other one is to use edge operations¹⁵¹; be sure to read about it on the TikZ manual¹⁵² — but basically this is similar to the to operation but it builds another path (added at the end of the current path, like nodes are). This means that it can use different options, and that it does not move the path coordinates.

So, for example:

 \begin{circuitikz}
     \draw (0,0) to[R] ++(2,0)
     edge[dashed, red] ++(1,0)
     % we have to move the path position here!
     ++(1,0) to [R] ++(2,0);
\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

The only problem with this approach is that the edges are added after the nodes, so it can create problems with nodes (look carefully!):

 \begin{circuitikz}
     \draw (0,0) to[R,-o] ++(2,0)
     edge[dashed, red] ++(1,0)
     ++(1,0) to [R] ++(2,0);
\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

So it’s better, in this case, to add the nodes manually after the path (there is no perfect solution!):

 \begin{circuitikz}
     \draw (0,0) to[R] ++(2,0) coordinate(a)
     edge[dashed, red] ++(1,0)
     ++(1,0) to [R] ++(2,0);
     \node [ocirc] at (a){};
\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

A more complex example can be seen (look at the comments!) in the following circuit.

 \begin{circuitikz}[american]
     \draw (0,0) to[R, v=$v_1$] ++(2,0)
         edge[dashed] ++(1,0)
     ++(1,0) to[R]
     ++(2,0) to [R] ++(0,2) coordinate(a)
         edge[red, dashed] ++(0,1)
         % several edges start from the same position
         edge[dashed, ->] node[above]{here} ++(-1,0)
     % notice that the path here is still
     % at coordinate (a)!
     ++(0,1) to[R] ++(0,2)
     (a) ++(-1,0) to[sV] ++(-2,0);
\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

¹⁵⁰ in 3.1.5b, section 14, “syntax for path specification”

¹⁵¹ I took the idea form this answer by @LaTeXdraw-com user on TeX.SE, thanks!

¹⁵² in 3.1.5b, section 17.12, “connecting nodes: use the edge operation”

8.3 Errors when externalizing pictures

Q: When using \tikzexternalize I get the following error:

! Emergency stop.

A: The TikZ manual states:

Furthermore, the library assumes that all LaTeX pictures are ended with
\end{tikzpicture}.

Just substitute every occurrence of the environment circuitikz with tikzpicture. They are actually pretty much the same.

8.4 Labels, voltages and currents woes

Q: How do I draw the voltage between two nodes?

A: Between any two nodes there is an open circuit!

 \begin{circuitikz} \draw
   node[ocirc] (A) at (0,0) {}
   node[ocirc] (B) at (2,1) {}
   (A) to[open, v=$v$] (B)
;\end{circuitikz}

(-tikz- diagram)

Q: I cannot write to[R = $R_1=12V$] nor to[ospst = open, 3s]: I get errors.

A: It is a limitation of the parser, joined with a suboptimal processing by CircuiTikZ (up to 1.2.7) of the passing of the argument of keys.

You should protect commas and equal signs like in to[R = {$R_1=12V$}] or to[ospst = {open, 3s}].

In versions up to 1.2.7, use for example \mbox{} or define \def{\eq}{=} and use to[R = $R_1\eq 12V$], or try to protect commas and equal signs like to[ospst = open{,} 3s] or ospst=\mbox{open, 3s} instead; see caveat in section 5.1.

8.5 Global scaling and rotating

Q: I tried to change the direction of the $y$-axis with yscale=-1, but the circuit is completely messed up.

A: Yes, it’s a known bug (or misfeature, or limitation). See section 1.8. Don’t do that.

Q: I tried to put a diode in a pic, but it’s coming out badly rotated.

A: This is a bug that should have been fixed in v1.8.0. Previous versions of CircuiTikZ are plainly not compatible with pics.

8.6 Tunable components

Q: The direction of the arrows in variable resistors or capacitors changed!

A: Yes, it changed in v1.3.3.

Version 1.3.3 fixes the direction of the arrows in tunable elements; before this version, they were more or less random, now the arrow goes from bottom left to top right. You have the option to go back to the old behavior with \ctikzset{bipoles/fix tunable direction=false}. As a compensation for the fuss, now the arrows are configurable.

(-tikz- diagram)

 \begin{circuitikz}[european]
     \draw (1,0) node{new default} (4,0) node{old default} (7,0) node{new!};
     \foreach [count=\i] \comp in
     {variable american resistor, variable european resistor,
         variable cute inductor, variable american inductor, tfullgeneric,
         variable capacitor} {
         \draw (0,-\i) node[left]{\texttt{\comp}} to[\comp, name=E] ++(2,0);
         \ctikzset{bipoles/fix tunable direction=false}
         \draw (3,-\i) to[\comp, name=E] ++(2,0);
         \ctikzset{bipoles/fix tunable direction=true, tunable end arrow={Bar}}
         \draw (6,-\i) to[\comp, name=E] ++(2,0);
     }
\end{circuitikz}

CircuiTikZ version 1.8.6-unreleased (2026/02/10)

8 FAQ: Frequently asked questions

8.1 Using named nodes in circuits

8.2 Using dashed (or colored) wires in circuits

8.3 Errors when externalizing pictures

8.4 Labels, voltages and currents woes

8.5 Global scaling and rotating

8.6 Tunable components

CircuiTikZ
version 1.8.6-unreleased (2026/02/10)