Electrical Capacitance Converter
Convert capacitance between farads, millifarads, microfarads, nanofarads, picofarads, statfarads, and abfarads. Enter a value, then select the From unit and To unit.
Convert Electrical Capacitance Between Units
Electrical Capacitance Formula
Where:
- \(C_{\text{from}}\) — capacitance value entered in the From unit
- \(C_{\text{to}}\) — equivalent value in the To unit
- \(k_{\text{from}}\) — number of farads in one From unit
- \(k_{\text{to}}\) — number of farads in one To unit
The converter first expresses the entered value in farads, then divides by the farad equivalent of the selected To unit. This changes the number and unit, not the physical capacitance.
Electrical Capacitance – Calculation Example
Example: convert the default value of 1 farad (F) to microfarads (µF). One microfarad equals \(10^{-6}\) farads.
\[C_{\text{to}}=1\times\frac{1}{10^{-6}}=1{,}000{,}000\ \text{µF}\]
Result: 1 F = 1,000,000 µF.
How to use the calculator
- Enter a nonnegative number in Capacitance value. Use the unit shown on the component or in your source data.
- Choose that unit in From unit.
- Choose the unit you need in To unit.
- Read the Converted Capacitance Value. Its unit is the one selected in To unit.
For example, to express a capacitor marked 470 nF in microfarads, enter 470, select Nanofarad (nF) as the From unit, and select Microfarad (µF) as the To unit. The result is 0.47 µF. If both unit selections are the same, the numerical value stays the same.
What electrical capacitance means
Capacitance describes how much electric charge a component stores per unit of voltage across it. For a capacitor, \(C=Q/V\), where \(Q\) is charge in coulombs and \(V\) is voltage in volts. One farad is one coulomb per volt. Conversion between capacitance units does not tell you the charge stored unless you also know the voltage.
The farad is a large unit for many electronic components, so datasheets and component markings commonly use microfarads, nanofarads, or picofarads. Converting units helps when comparing specifications, substituting a component, or checking a circuit calculation. For instance, 0.1 µF, 100 nF, and 100,000 pF describe the same capacitance.
Capacitance also affects how a circuit responds over time and with changing signal frequency. Larger capacitance generally allows more charge to be stored at a given voltage, but a capacitor’s behavior in a real circuit also depends on its connections and other components. If you are working with AC signals, the frequency converter can help put signal specifications in consistent units. For other electrical quantities, see the electric current converter and conductance units converter.
Conversion factors and practical limits
The table shows how many farads correspond to one unit. Use it to check a result or convert a value by hand: multiply by the From unit’s factor to obtain farads, then divide by the To unit’s factor.
| Unit | Symbol | Farads per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Farad | F | 1 |
| Millifarad | mF | \(10^{-3}\) |
| Microfarad | µF | \(10^{-6}\) |
| Nanofarad | nF | \(10^{-9}\) |
| Picofarad | pF | \(10^{-12}\) |
| Statfarad | statF | approximately \(1.11265\times10^{-12}\) |
| Abfarad | abF | \(10^{9}\) |
Statfarads and abfarads are units from different CGS electrical unit systems; they are not interchangeable with picofarads or farads merely because their names end in “farad.” The converter uses the approximate statfarad factor shown above, so conversions involving statfarads inherit that approximation.
The displayed result is rounded to 10 decimal places. A very small nonzero value can therefore appear as zero when converted to a large unit: for example, 1 pF is \(10^{-12}\) F, not zero farads. For such values, select a smaller To unit or use the factors in the table if you need the result in farads. Unit conversion also does not account for a capacitor’s tolerance, voltage rating, temperature behavior, or frequency-dependent effects; check the component specifications when those properties matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I convert between µF, nF, and pF without a calculator?
Move the decimal point three places for each step between adjacent units: µF → nF → pF. Moving right multiplies by 1,000; moving left divides by 1,000. For example, 2.2 µF is 2,200 nF or 2,200,000 pF. Check the direction: the number gets larger when the unit gets smaller.
What is a typical capacitance value for an electronic capacitor?
There is no single normal value; it depends on the circuit. Small signal and timing capacitors may be measured in picofarads or nanofarads, while power-supply filtering often uses microfarads to thousands of microfarads. A larger number is not automatically better: the required value depends on the circuit design, and the component must also meet its voltage and other specifications.
What does a three-digit capacitor marking such as 473 mean?
On many capacitors, the first two digits are significant figures and the third is the number of zeros, with the result in picofarads. Thus, 473 means 47,000 pF, or 47 nF. This convention does not apply to every marking or component; letters may indicate tolerance, and manufacturer documentation is the best way to resolve an ambiguous label.
How do I find the total capacitance of capacitors in parallel or series?
For capacitors in parallel, add their capacitances: \(C_{\mathrm{total}}=C_1+C_2+\cdots\). For capacitors in series, add their reciprocals: \(1/C_{\mathrm{total}}=1/C_1+1/C_2+\cdots\). Two identical capacitors therefore have twice the capacitance in parallel but half the capacitance in series. Convert all values to the same unit before calculating.
Does a capacitor with more capacitance have a higher voltage rating?
No. Capacitance and voltage rating are separate specifications. Capacitance describes charge stored per volt; the voltage rating indicates the maximum voltage the component is designed to withstand under specified conditions. Two capacitors can have the same capacitance but very different voltage ratings. Never assume a unit conversion or a larger capacitance makes a capacitor safe at a higher voltage.
How is capacitance different from capacitive reactance?
Capacitance is a component property measured in farads; capacitive reactance describes its opposition to alternating current and is measured in ohms. For an ideal capacitor at frequency \(f\), \(X_C=1/(2\pi fC)\). Reactance decreases as frequency or capacitance increases. Converting farads to microfarads changes only the units, not the reactance at a given frequency.