Capacitance Conversion

Use Aichiplink’s Capacitance Conversion Chart and Calculator to easily convert capacitor codes to actual capacitance values and perform unit conversions between picofarads (pF), nanofarads (nF), microfarads (µF), and farads (F). This tool helps engineers and hobbyists quickly interpret capacitor markings and compare capacitance values across different unit systems.

Capacitance Conversion
pF
nF
µF
F
CAPACITOR CONVERSION CHART
Capacitance Conversion Chart

Introduction

What is Capacitor Conversion?

Capacitors are fundamental electronic components, but their values can be confusing because different manufacturers and regions use different multipliers. Values are typically expressed in Microfarads (μ\muF), Nanofarads (nF), or Picofarads (pF).

Why Conversion is Necessary

There is often overlap between these multipliers. For example, a capacitor might be listed as 0.1 μ\muF on a schematic, but the physical part you buy might be marked as 100 nF. These represent the exact same capacitance value.

  • The Rule of 1000: Each unit step is a factor of 1,000.
    • 1μF=1,000nF1 \mu F = 1,000 nF
    • 1nF=1,000pF1 nF = 1,000 pF

Note: The usage of Nanofarads (nF) varies by region. In some areas, it is common to skip nF entirely, expressing values only as fractions of a Microfarad (e.g., 0.001μF0.001 \mu F) or large multiples of Picofarads.

Understanding Capacitance

Capacitance is the ability of a component or circuit to collect and store energy in the form of an electrical charge.

  • Symbol: The symbol for the variable of capacitance is CC.
  • Unit: The SI unit for capacitance is the Farad, denoted by the symbol FF.

The Formula:

The relationship between capacitance (CC), charge (qq), and voltage (VV) is defined as:

C=qVC = \frac{q}{V}

Where:

  • CC: Capacitance (Farads)
  • qq: Charge held on the plates (Coulombs)
  • VV: Voltage between the plates (Volts)

Common Units of Measurement

While the standard unit is the Farad (F), a single Farad is an extremely large amount of capacitance. In practical electronics, we almost always use prefixes to denote smaller values:

  • Microfarad (μ\muF): 10−610^{-6} Farads (Common for power supply filtering)
  • Nanofarad (nF): 10−910^{-9} Farads (Common for general usage)
  • Picofarad (pF): 10−1210^{-12} Farads (Common for RF and timing circuits)

Capacitor Value Conversion Chart

Use the table below to quickly convert between the three most common multipliers.

Microfarads (μ\muF)Nanofarads (nF)Picofarads (pF)
0.0000010.0011
0.000010.0110
0.00010.1100
0.00111,000
0.011010,000
0.1100100,000
11,0001,000,000
1010,00010,000,000
100100,000100,000,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is capacitor value conversion used for?

Capacitor conversion helps resolve notation ambiguity when values overlap between units like µF/nF/pF. It ensures accurate component selection by converting between units like 0.1µF to 100nF or 100,000pF.

How do I convert microfarads (µF) to nanofarads (nF)?

Multiply the microfarad value by 1,000. For example/ 1µF = 1,000nF/ 0.01µF = 10nF. Refer to the conversion chart for common µF/nF/pF equivalents.

Why are nanofarads (nF) less commonly used?

Some regions avoid nF notation/ expressing values as fractions of µF (e.g./ 0.1µF) or large pF values (e.g./ 100,000pF). Use conversion tools to translate nF markings when needed.

What are common capacitor value conversions?

Examples include/ 1µF = 1,000nF = 1,000,000pF/ 0.001µF = 1nF = 1,000pF. The chart clarifies overlaps like 0.1µF = 100nF or 10nF = 10,000pF.

How to handle ambiguous capacitor markings?

Cross-check values using the conversion chart. For example/ a component labeled “0.1” could mean 0.1µF (100nF) or 0.1nF (100pF). Confirm units with a multimeter or datasheet if unclear.

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Capacitance Conversion - AIChipLink