Capacitor Code Calculator (104, 473, 222…)
Capacitance in picofarads, nanofarads and microfarads from the three-digit code printed on ceramic and film capacitors.
Results
Capacitance in picofarads
100,000
pF
Capacitance in nanofarads
100
nF
Capacitance in microfarads
0.1
µF
What this tool does
The code works like the resistor colour code written in digits: the first two are the value and the third is the number of zeros, always in picofarads. So 104 is 10 followed by four zeros — 100 000 pF, which is 100 nF or 0.1 µF, the classic decoupling capacitor. Third digits 8 and 9 are used for small values and mean ×0.01 and ×0.1. A letter after the code is the tolerance (J = ±5 %, K = ±10 %, M = ±20 %), and a separate number is usually the voltage rating.
Formula
C = (first two digits) × 10^(third digit) pF · third digit 8 → ×0.01, 9 → ×0.1
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
cd | Three-digit code (e.g. 104) | — |
PF | Capacitance in picofarads | pF |
NF | Capacitance in nanofarads | nF |
UF | Capacitance in microfarads | µF |
Worked example
- Three-digit code (e.g. 104)104
- Capacitance in picofarads100,000 pF
- Capacitance in nanofarads100 nF
- Capacitance in microfarads0.1 µF
Limitations
- Coverage and consumption figures vary between products. Take the values from the manufacturer's datasheet for the product you are actually using.
- The calculation runs at full precision and only the display is rounded. If you copy an intermediate value and retype it, small differences can appear.