Capacitor Calculators

Advanced tools for electronics engineers and hobbyists

Ceramic Capacitor Calculator

Enter 3-digit code (e.g., 104, 472) or 2-digit code with multiplier (e.g., 4R7):

Enter a code to calculate capacitance

Common Codes Click on any code to automatically input it :

104 = 100nF
473 = 47nF
222 = 2.2nF
103 = 10nF
224 = 220nF
4R7 = 4.7pF

Electrolytic Capacitor Calculator

Enter value with unit (e.g., 10µF, 47nF, 1000pF):

Enter a value to calculate

Voltage Rating Colors (optional):

Capacitor Code Information

Ceramic Capacitor Codes:

Most ceramic capacitors use a 3-digit code:

  • First two digits: Significant figures
  • Third digit: Multiplier (power of 10)
  • Result is in picofarads (pF)

Example: 104 = 10 × 10⁴ pF = 100,000pF = 100nF = 0.1µF

Electrolytic Capacitor Markings:

Electrolytic capacitors are usually marked with:

  • Actual capacitance value (e.g., 10µF)
  • Voltage rating (e.g., 16V)
  • Polarity markings (+, - or stripe)

Some older capacitors may use color codes for voltage rating.

Unit Conversions:

  • 1 Farad (F) = 1,000,000 microfarads (µF)
  • 1 microfarad (µF) = 1,000 nanofarads (nF)
  • 1 nanofarad (nF) = 1,000 picofarads (pF)

Series Capacitors Calculator

Enter capacitor values to calculate the equivalent capacitance in series.

The equivalent capacitance will be shown here.

Parallel Capacitors Calculator

Enter capacitor values to calculate the equivalent capacitance in parallel.

The equivalent capacitance will be shown here.

Theory of Capacitors in Series and Parallel

Capacitors in Series

When capacitors are connected in series, the equivalent capacitance is calculated using:

1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + ... + 1/Cn

This means the equivalent capacitance is always smaller than the smallest individual capacitor in the series.

Capacitors in Parallel

When capacitors are connected in parallel, the equivalent capacitance is calculated by adding the individual capacitances:

Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3 + ... + Cn

This means the equivalent capacitance is always larger than the largest individual capacitor in the parallel connection.

Physical Explanation

Series connection: In series, the same charge must exist on each capacitor, but the voltage is divided across all capacitors. This effectively creates a single capacitor with increased plate separation, resulting in decreased capacitance.

Parallel connection: In parallel, each capacitor has the same voltage across it, but the charge is divided among all capacitors. This effectively creates a single capacitor with increased plate area, resulting in increased capacitance.

Advanced Capacitor Tools

Additional tools for electronics engineers and advanced hobbyists.

RC Time Constant Calculator

Calculate the time constant (τ) of an RC circuit.

Time constant will be shown here.

Energy Storage Calculator

Calculate the energy stored in a capacitor.

Energy will be shown here.