Capacitor Code Calculator
Convert capacitor codes (numeric, alphanumeric) to capacitance values.
Capacitance Value from Code
Understanding Capacitor Codes
Capacitors are marked with codes to indicate their capacitance value, tolerance, and sometimes voltage rating. These codes can be numeric (e.g., 104) or alphanumeric (e.g., 2A104J).
Numeric Codes (3-Digit)
For 3-digit codes, the first two digits are the significant figures, and the third digit is the multiplier (number of zeros to add). The result is in picofarads (pF).
Alphanumeric Codes (EIA Standard)
Some capacitors use alphanumeric codes where letters indicate voltage rating and tolerance, followed by the 3-digit capacitance code.
Capacitor Tolerance Codes
| Code | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| B | ±0.1 pF |
| C | ±0.25 pF |
| D | ±0.5 pF |
| F | ±1% |
| G | ±2% |
| J | ±5% |
| K | ±10% |
| M | ±20% |
| Z | +80%, -20% |
Capacitor Voltage Codes (EIA Standard)
| Code | Voltage (V) |
|---|---|
| 0G | 4 |
| 0J | 6.3 |
| 1A | 10 |
| 1C | 16 |
| 1E | 25 |
| 1G | 40 |
| 1H | 50 |
| 2A | 100 |
| 2E | 250 |
| 2G | 400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a capacitor?
A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It consists of two conductive plates separated by a dielectric (insulating) material.
What are the units of capacitance?
The SI unit of capacitance is the Farad (F). However, Farad is a very large unit, so capacitance is commonly expressed in sub-units like microfarads (µF), nanofarads (nF), and picofarads (pF).