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🔋 Capacitance Conversion Calculator

Convert between pF, nF, µF, mF, F, kF and 20+ capacitance units — with circuit formulas & capacitor markings guide

20+ Capacitance Units Capacitor Code Decoder Quick-Convert Buttons Free & Instant

🔄 Capacitance Unit Converter

100 nF = 0.1 µF
Formula: value ÷ 1,000

📊 All Conversions at Once

💡 How it works: All units convert through the farad (F) as the SI base. The formula is \( C_{\text{to}} = C_{\text{from}} \times \dfrac{f_{\text{from}}}{f_{\text{to}}} \) where \(f\) is each unit's factor relative to 1 F.

📖 How to Use the Capacitance Converter

  1. 1
    Enter Your Capacitance Value

    Type the numerical capacitance value into the "Enter Value" field. Decimals and scientific notation are supported (e.g., 4.7e-9 for 4.7 nF). Results update instantly as you type.

  2. 2
    Select the Source Unit (From)

    Choose your input unit from the "From Unit" dropdown — from picofarad (pF) to terafarad (TF), including special units such as abfarad and statfarad.

  3. 3
    Select the Target Unit (To)

    Choose the unit you want to convert into from the "To Unit" dropdown. The result and the exact multiplication factor appear immediately in the result panel.

  4. 4
    Use Quick-Convert Buttons

    Click a quick-convert button (nF→pF, µF→nF, etc.) for the most common conversions — the dropdowns are pre-set and the result is calculated instantly.

  5. 5
    View All Conversions & Copy

    The "All Conversions at Once" panel shows your value in every supported unit simultaneously. Click "📋 Copy Result" to copy the primary result to your clipboard.

📐 Capacitance Units Reference Table

Unit Symbol Value in Farads Math Expression Common Use
Picofarad pF \(10^{-12}\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\text{pF} = 10^{-12}\,\text{F} \) RF circuits, ceramic caps, sensors
Nanofarad nF \(10^{-9}\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\text{nF} = 10^{-9}\,\text{F} \) Timing, signal coupling, filters
Microfarad µF \(10^{-6}\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\mu\text{F} = 10^{-6}\,\text{F} \) Power supply filtering, audio
Millifarad mF \(10^{-3}\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\text{mF} = 10^{-3}\,\text{F} \) Large electrolytic caps
Farad (SI base) F \(1\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\text{F} = 1\,\text{C/V} \) Supercapacitors, energy storage
Kilofarad kF \(10^{3}\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\text{kF} = 1000\,\text{F} \) Large supercapacitors, EDLC banks
Abfarad abF \(10^{9}\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\text{abF} = 10^9\,\text{F} \) CGS-EMU (historical)
Statfarad statF \(\approx 1.1127 \times 10^{-12}\,\text{F}\) \( 1\,\text{statF} = \frac{1}{c^2} \times 10^{11}\,\text{F} \) CGS-ESU / Gaussian (theoretical)

🔬 Understanding Capacitance — A Complete Guide

Capacitance is the ability of a component or system to store electric charge for a given voltage difference across it. It is one of the three fundamental passive electrical properties — alongside resistance and inductance — that determine the behaviour of all electronic circuits. From the 22 pF trimmer capacitor tuning a radio receiver, to the 100 µF electrolytic capacitor smoothing a power supply, to the 3,000 F supercapacitor storing regenerative braking energy in a hybrid vehicle, capacitance spans more than 15 orders of magnitude in engineering practice.

The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F), named after the English scientist Michael Faraday (1791–1867), whose pioneering experiments with electrochemical cells and electromagnetic induction laid the foundations of modern electrical engineering. The farad is defined as the capacitance of a capacitor that stores exactly one coulomb of charge when a potential difference of one volt is applied across its terminals.

Fundamental Capacitance Definition
\[ C = \frac{Q}{V} \quad [\text{F}] \]
1 F = 1 C/V · \(Q\) = charge (coulombs) · \(V\) = voltage (volts)

This deceptively simple equation encapsulates the entire physics of capacitance. A larger capacitance stores more charge for the same applied voltage; a smaller capacitance stores less. Because the farad is an extremely large unit relative to typical component values — a 1 F capacitor at 1 V stores 1 coulomb, which represents \(6.24 \times 10^{18}\) electron charges — virtually all practical capacitors are measured in fractions of a farad: microfarads (µF), nanofarads (nF), or picofarads (pF).

🔢 pF, nF, µF — The Prefix Scale Explained

The three most commonly encountered capacitance units form a factor-of-1,000 ladder. Understanding these relationships is essential for reading component datasheets, interpreting capacitor markings, and designing circuits correctly:

pF ↔ nF ↔ µF ↔ mF ↔ F Scale
\[ 1\,\text{F} = 10^3\,\text{mF} = 10^6\,\mu\text{F} = 10^9\,\text{nF} = 10^{12}\,\text{pF} \]
Each step × 1,000 · pico = 10⁻¹² · nano = 10⁻⁹ · micro = 10⁻⁶ · milli = 10⁻³
🔬

Picofarad (pF) — \(10^{-12}\,\text{F}\)

The smallest commonly used unit. Typical range: 1 pF to 10,000 pF. Used in RF and microwave circuits, ceramic capacitors, variable trimmer caps, crystal load capacitors, antenna matching networks, and parasitic-capacitance analysis on PCBs.

📻

Nanofarad (nF) — \(10^{-9}\,\text{F}\)

Middle of the practical range. 1 nF = 1,000 pF = 0.001 µF. Common for ceramic and film capacitors in signal filters, timing circuits (RC timers), audio coupling, EMI suppression, and decoupling on digital logic supplies.

📱

Microfarad (µF) — \(10^{-6}\,\text{F}\)

The workhorse of power electronics. 1 µF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF. Electrolytic and tantalum capacitors in power supply filtering, motor start/run capacitors (2–30 µF), audio amplifier coupling and bypass (>10 µF).

⚡

Farad (F) & Above — Supercapacitors

Electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC) and pseudocapacitors reach 1 F to 10,000 F. Used for energy storage, UPS hold-up, regenerative braking, engine cold-start assist, and replacing batteries in low-power IoT devices.

⚡ The Physics of a Capacitor

Parallel Plate Capacitor

The simplest physical model of a capacitor is two parallel conducting plates separated by a dielectric (insulating) material. The capacitance is determined by the plate geometry and the dielectric properties:

Parallel Plate Capacitance
\[ C = \varepsilon_0 \varepsilon_r \frac{A}{d} \]
\(\varepsilon_0 = 8.854 \times 10^{-12}\,\text{F/m}\) (permittivity of free space) · \(\varepsilon_r\) = relative permittivity of dielectric · \(A\) = plate area (m²) · \(d\) = plate separation (m)

This formula explains the design choices in capacitor manufacturing:

  • Larger plate area A → higher capacitance. Electrolytic capacitors use a chemically etched aluminium foil to dramatically increase effective surface area.
  • Smaller separation d → higher capacitance. The oxide layer in electrolytic capacitors is nanometres thin — far thinner than any physically cut insulator.
  • Higher permittivity \(\varepsilon_r\) → higher capacitance. Ceramic capacitors use materials with \(\varepsilon_r\) as high as 20,000 (Class II X7R, Y5V) vs. 1 for vacuum.
📌 Example — Parallel Plate Capacitance

Given: Two square plates, 10 cm × 10 cm (A = 0.01 m²), separated by 0.1 mm = \(10^{-4}\) m of polyethylene (\(\varepsilon_r = 2.3\)).

\[ C = 8.854 \times 10^{-12} \times 2.3 \times \frac{0.01}{10^{-4}} = 8.854 \times 10^{-12} \times 2.3 \times 100 \]

\[ C \approx 2.037 \times 10^{-9}\,\text{F} = 2.037\,\text{nF} = 2,037\,\text{pF} \]

Answer: Approximately 2.0 nF — well within the nanofarad range for a palm-sized film capacitor.

🔋 Energy Stored in a Capacitor

A charged capacitor stores electrical energy in the electric field between its plates. The energy is given by:

Energy Stored in a Capacitor — Three Forms
\[ E = \frac{1}{2}CV^2 = \frac{Q^2}{2C} = \frac{QV}{2} \quad [\text{J}] \]
\(E\) = energy (joules) · \(C\) = capacitance (farads) · \(V\) = voltage (volts) · \(Q\) = charge (coulombs)
📌 Example — Energy in a Camera Flash Capacitor

Given: A camera flash capacitor C = 1,000 µF = 0.001 F charged to V = 300 V.

\[ E = \frac{1}{2} \times 0.001 \times (300)^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 0.001 \times 90{,}000 = 45\,\text{J} \]

Answer: The capacitor stores 45 joules — enough to produce an intense flash lasting a few milliseconds. This is why charged camera flash capacitors are dangerous even after the camera is off.

📌 Example — Supercapacitor Energy Storage

Given: A supercapacitor rated C = 3,000 F charged to V = 2.7 V (its rated voltage).

\[ E = \frac{1}{2} \times 3{,}000 \times (2.7)^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 3{,}000 \times 7.29 = 10{,}935\,\text{J} \approx 3.04\,\text{Wh} \]

Answer: The supercapacitor stores approximately 3 Wh — usable for engine start-stop assist or backup power for IoT sensors.

⏱️ RC Time Constant — Charge and Discharge

When a capacitor is connected to a resistor and a voltage source, it does not charge or discharge instantaneously — it follows an exponential curve governed by the RC time constant \(\tau\) (tau):

RC Time Constant
\[ \tau = R \times C \quad [\text{s}] \]
\(R\) = resistance (Ω) · \(C\) = capacitance (F) · After time \(5\tau\) the capacitor is ~99.3% charged

The voltage across the capacitor during charging is: \[ V_C(t) = V_s \left(1 - e^{-t/\tau}\right) \] And during discharging: \[ V_C(t) = V_0 \, e^{-t/\tau} \] where \(V_s\) is the supply voltage, \(V_0\) is the initial voltage, and \(e \approx 2.718\) is Euler's number.

📌 Example — RC Timer (555 Circuit)

Given: A 555 timer circuit with R = 10 kΩ and C = 100 nF = \(10^{-7}\) F.

\[ \tau = R \times C = 10{,}000 \times 10^{-7} = 10^{-3}\,\text{s} = 1\,\text{ms} \]

The oscillation frequency in astable mode (with R1 = R2 = 10 kΩ, C = 100 nF) is approximately:

\[ f \approx \frac{1.44}{(R_1 + 2R_2) \times C} = \frac{1.44}{30{,}000 \times 10^{-7}} \approx 480\,\text{Hz} \]

Answer: The timer generates a square wave at approximately 480 Hz — audible as a buzzing tone.

📡 Capacitive Reactance — AC Circuit Behaviour

In AC circuits, a capacitor offers a frequency-dependent opposition to current flow called capacitive reactance \(X_C\). Unlike resistance, reactance is not constant — it decreases as frequency increases, meaning capacitors pass high-frequency signals more easily than low-frequency ones. This is the fundamental principle behind capacitive filtering and bypass circuits.

Capacitive Reactance
\[ X_C = \frac{1}{2\pi f C} = \frac{1}{\omega C} \quad [\Omega] \]
\(f\) = frequency (Hz) · \(C\) = capacitance (F) · \(\omega = 2\pi f\) = angular frequency (rad/s)
📌 Example — Bypass Capacitor Reactance

Given: A 100 nF decoupling capacitor on a 5 V logic rail. Find its reactance at 1 MHz and at 100 MHz.

At 1 MHz: \( X_C = \dfrac{1}{2\pi \times 10^6 \times 10^{-7}} = \dfrac{1}{0.6283} \approx 1.59\,\Omega \)

At 100 MHz: \( X_C = \dfrac{1}{2\pi \times 10^8 \times 10^{-7}} = \dfrac{1}{62.83} \approx 0.0159\,\Omega \)

Answer: At 1 MHz it presents 1.59 Ω — adequately low for decoupling. At 100 MHz, 15.9 mΩ, effectively a short circuit to noise.

🔗 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

Series Capacitance — Reciprocal Law
\[ \frac{1}{C_{\text{total}}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \cdots + \frac{1}{C_n} \]
Series combination is always smaller than the smallest capacitor
Parallel Capacitance — Direct Sum
\[ C_{\text{total}} = C_1 + C_2 + \cdots + C_n \]
Parallel combination is always larger than any individual capacitor
📌 Example — Series and Parallel Combinations

Two 10 µF capacitors in parallel: \( C = 10 + 10 = 20\,\mu\text{F} \)

Two 10 µF capacitors in series: \( \frac{1}{C} = \frac{1}{10} + \frac{1}{10} = \frac{2}{10} \Rightarrow C = 5\,\mu\text{F} \)

Note: For two identical capacitors C in series the result is always C/2. This is useful when you need a lower-rated capacitor value that isn't in stock: two 10 µF → 5 µF.

🏷️ How to Read Capacitor Markings

Most ceramic and film capacitors are marked with a three-digit code that indicates capacitance in picofarads. Understanding this code avoids costly errors when identifying or sourcing components.

  • The first two digits are the significant figures
  • The third digit is the number of zeros to append (the multiplier exponent)
  • The value is always in picofarads (pF)
Code Calculation Value (pF) Value (nF) Value (µF)
100 \(10 \times 10^0 = 10\) 10 pF 0.010 nF 0.000010 µF
101 \(10 \times 10^1 = 100\) 100 pF 0.10 nF 0.000100 µF
102 \(10 \times 10^2 = 1{,}000\) 1,000 pF 1.0 nF 0.001 µF
103 \(10 \times 10^3 = 10{,}000\) 10,000 pF 10 nF 0.01 µF
104 \(10 \times 10^4 = 100{,}000\) 100,000 pF 100 nF 0.1 µF
105 \(10 \times 10^5 = 1{,}000{,}000\) 1,000,000 pF 1,000 nF 1 µF
474 \(47 \times 10^4 = 470{,}000\) 470,000 pF 470 nF 0.47 µF
223 \(22 \times 10^3 = 22{,}000\) 22,000 pF 22 nF 0.022 µF
🔵 Letter Suffix = Tolerance: After the number code, a letter indicates tolerance. J = ±5%, K = ±10%, M = ±20%. A capacitor marked "104K" is 100 nF ±10%.

🔌 Types of Capacitors and Their Typical Values

Type Typical Range Voltage Rating Key Properties
Ceramic (Class I — C0G/NP0) 1 pF – 1 µF 50 V – 5 kV Low loss, stable with T, precise; ideal for RF and timing
Ceramic (Class II — X7R, X5R) 1 nF – 100 µF 6.3 V – 100 V High capacitance density; C varies with voltage and temperature
Ceramic (Class III — Y5V, Z5U) 1 nF – 100 µF Up to 50 V Highest density; wide C tolerance (−20%/+80%); poor stability
Aluminium Electrolytic 1 µF – 100,000 µF 6.3 V – 500 V Polarised; large capacitance; ESR limits HF performance; limited life
Tantalum Electrolytic 0.1 µF – 2,200 µF 4 V – 63 V Stable; low ESR; sensitive to overvoltage; can ignite if reverse-biased
Film (Polyester / PET) 1 nF – 100 µF 50 V – 600 V Non-polarised; stable; low cost; audio-grade; motor run use
Film (Polypropylene / PP) 100 pF – 50 µF 250 V – 2 kV Lowest loss; excellent RF/audio; pulse power; EMI suppression X2
Supercapacitor (EDLC) 0.1 F – 10,000 F 2.5 V – 3.0 V Enormous capacitance; 1 million cycle life; low voltage; energy storage
Mica 1 pF – 10,000 pF 100 V – 1 kV Ultra-stable; low loss; precision; used in RF tank and filter circuits
N
Written & Reviewed by Num8ers Editorial Team — Electronics & Electrical Engineering Education Specialists Last updated: April 2026 · Formulas verified against IEC 60384, IEEE standards and NIST data

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Capacitance Conversion

What is capacitance and what is its SI unit?
Capacitance is the ability of a component to store electric charge per unit of voltage: \( C = Q/V \). The SI unit is the farad (F), named after Michael Faraday. 1 F = 1 coulomb per volt. Because the farad is very large, practical capacitors are rated in µF, nF, or pF.
How do I convert nF to pF?
Multiply by 1,000. \( C_{\text{pF}} = C_{\text{nF}} \times 1{,}000 \). Example: 4.7 nF × 1,000 = 4,700 pF. This is because 1 nF = \(10^{-9}\) F and 1 pF = \(10^{-12}\) F, so 1 nF = 1,000 pF.
How do I convert pF to nF?
Divide by 1,000. \( C_{\text{nF}} = C_{\text{pF}} \div 1{,}000 \). Example: 4,700 pF ÷ 1,000 = 4.7 nF. This is essential when reading ceramic capacitor codes (marked in pF) for circuits specified in nF.
How do I convert µF to pF?
Multiply by 1,000,000. \( C_{\text{pF}} = C_{\mu\text{F}} \times 10^6 \). Example: 0.01 µF × 1,000,000 = 10,000 pF. Direct: go µF → nF (×1,000) → pF (×1,000), or multiply by \(10^6\) in one step.
What is 0.1 µF in nF and pF?
0.1 µF = 100 nF = 100,000 pF. This is one of the most common decoupling capacitor values, typically used to bypass logic IC power pins. It is usually marked "104" on the ceramic body (10 × 10⁴ pF = 100,000 pF = 0.1 µF).
How do I decode a three-digit capacitor code?
The three-digit code gives capacitance in picofarads (pF). The first two digits are the significant value; the third digit is the power of 10 (number of trailing zeros): \( C_{\text{pF}} = (\text{first two digits}) \times 10^{\text{third digit}} \). Examples: 104 = 10 × 10⁴ = 100,000 pF = 0.1 µF. 473 = 47 × 10³ = 47,000 pF = 47 nF.
What is pF, nF, µF in the hierarchy?
They form a factor-of-1,000 ladder: \( 1\,\text{F} = 10^6\,\mu\text{F} = 10^9\,\text{nF} = 10^{12}\,\text{pF} \). Each step up (pF→nF→µF→mF→F) divides by 1,000; each step down multiplies by 1,000. Mnemonic: Pigs Never Make Mistakes with Farms → pF, nF, mF, µF, F (sorted from smallest to largest, though µF technically comes before mF).
What is the capacitive reactance formula?
\( X_C = \dfrac{1}{2\pi f C} \), where \(f\) is frequency in Hz and \(C\) is capacitance in farads. Reactance decreases as frequency increases — capacitors pass high-frequency AC more easily. At DC (f = 0), \(X_C = \infty\) (open circuit). This is why capacitors block DC but pass AC.
What is the energy stored in a capacitor?
\( E = \frac{1}{2}CV^2 \), where C is in farads and V is in volts, gives energy in joules. Example: 1,000 µF at 50 V stores \( \frac{1}{2} \times 10^{-3} \times 2500 = 1.25\,\text{J} \). This is why charged capacitors in power electronics can cause burns or electric shock even when the power is off.
What is the RC time constant?
\( \tau = R \times C \) in seconds. It is the time for the capacitor to charge to 63.2% (or discharge to 36.8%) of the final voltage. After \(5\tau\), the capacitor is considered fully charged (99.3%). Example: R = 10 kΩ, C = 10 µF → \( \tau = 10{,}000 \times 10^{-5} = 0.1\,\text{s} = 100\,\text{ms} \).
How do capacitors in series combine?
Use the reciprocal formula: \( 1/C_T = 1/C_1 + 1/C_2 + \ldots \). For two equal capacitors C in series: \( C_T = C/2 \). Series combination reduces total capacitance but increases voltage rating — useful when one high-voltage capacitor isn't available.
How do capacitors in parallel combine?
Direct sum: \( C_T = C_1 + C_2 + \ldots \). Parallel combination increases total capacitance — useful to build a specific value from available parts, or to reduce equivalent series resistance (ESR) for better high-frequency performance.
What is a supercapacitor?
Supercapacitors (EDLCs — Electric Double-Layer Capacitors) use an electrochemical mechanism — charge accumulation at the electrode/electrolyte interface — to achieve capacitances from 1 F to over 10,000 F. They charge and discharge rapidly (seconds to minutes), have 1 million+ cycle lifespans, but have low voltage ratings (typically 2.5–3 V per cell) and lower energy density than lithium batteries.
What is an abfarad?
The abfarad is the unit of capacitance in the CGS-EMU (electromagnetic) system. \( 1\,\text{abF} = 10^9\,\text{F} = 1\,\text{GF} \). It is a colossal unit by modern standards — practically never encountered in electronics. It appears only in historical scientific literature and conversion tables for completeness.
What is a statfarad?
The statfarad is the unit of capacitance in the CGS-ESU (Gaussian) system. \( 1\,\text{statF} \approx 1.1126 \times 10^{-12}\,\text{F} \approx 1.1126\,\text{pF} \). The value arises from the conversion: \( 1\,\text{statF} = c^{-2} \times 10^{11}\,\text{F} \) where \(c\) is the speed of light in cm/s.
How accurate is the Num8ers Capacitance Converter?
The calculator uses JavaScript IEEE 754 double-precision floating-point arithmetic (~15–16 significant digits) with exact SI prefix factors and NIST-derived values for legacy CGS units. The calculator is more precise than any physical capacitor — typical component tolerances are ±5% to ±20%. Results are accurate to better than 1 part per billion for SI prefix conversions, and to 7 significant figures for abfarad and statfarad conversions.

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