What unit is used to measure resistance on a multimeter?

• A. Volts
• B. Ohms
• C. Amperes
• D. Watts

Answer: (B)

Resistance is measured in ohms. The ohm, symbolized by Ω, is the unit that quantifies how much a component resists the flow of electric current. A multimeter on the resistance setting uses a small internal current to see how much voltage drop occurs, and Ohm’s law ties those two quantities together (R = V/I). That’s why the reading you get on the resistance range is given in ohms, or in larger ranges like kilohms or megohms as needed. It’s important to make sure the circuit is not powered when measuring resistance, because applying voltage or current can damage the meter or give an inaccurate reading. The other options represent different quantities: volts measure electrical potential, amperes measure current, and watts measure power.