Capacitance Converter

The farad (F) is the SI unit of capacitance: one farad stores one coulomb of charge per volt (C = Q ÷ V). It is an enormous unit for everyday electronics, so values are almost always written with SI prefixes. The converter turns your value into farads and then into the target prefix:

result = value × factor(from) ÷ factor(to)

• 1 mF = 10⁻³ F (millifarad — rare on parts, sometimes seen on supercap or audio datasheets)
• 1 µF = 10⁻⁶ F (microfarad; also written uF or mfd on older parts)
• 1 nF = 10⁻⁹ F (nanofarad; common in Europe, less so in US catalogues)
• 1 pF = 10⁻¹² F (picofarad; also "µµF" on vintage radio schematics)

Each prefix step is a factor of 1000, so moving one step to a smaller unit multiplies the number by 1000: 0.1 µF = 100 nF = 100,000 pF.

Decoding the three-digit code. Ceramic and film capacitors usually carry a code like 104 or 472. The first two digits are significant figures and the third is the number of zeros, in picofarads. So 104 = 10 followed by four zeros = 100,000 pF = 100 nF = 0.1 µF, and 472 = 4700 pF = 4.7 nF. A trailing letter is the tolerance (J = ±5%, K = ±10%, M = ±20%). Enter the decoded pF number here to see it in nF or µF.

Where the magnitudes sit. RF tuning and crystal load capacitors are typically 5–33 pF. Timing and filter capacitors range from 1 nF to 1 µF. Electrolytic bulk capacitors on power supplies are 10 µF to several thousand µF — a 4700 µF reservoir cap is 0.0047 F. Supercapacitors finally reach whole farads.

Why the value alone isn't enough. Two capacitors with the same capacitance can behave very differently. Class II ceramics (X7R, Y5V) lose a large share of their capacitance under DC bias and at temperature extremes; electrolytics have wide tolerances (often −20%/+80% on old types) and polarity. Always check the voltage rating with headroom, typically at least 1.5–2× the working voltage.

Precision. The tool keeps 10 significant digits, so conversions between prefixes are exact for normal values.

Power-supply reservoir capacitor in farads

Inputs: 4700, From µF, To F

Enter 4700, select µF → F. The tool multiplies by 10⁻⁶ and divides by 1, giving the value in farads.

Result: 0.0047

Useful when a formula like ripple voltage ΔV = I ÷ (f × C) needs C in farads.

Decoupling cap: µF to nF

Inputs: 0.1, From µF, To nF

A schematic calls for 0.1 µF but the supplier filters by nF. Enter 0.1 with µF → nF: 0.1 × 10⁻⁶ ÷ 10⁻⁹.

Result: 100

Order a 100 nF part, often marked 104.

Small RF capacitor in nF

Inputs: 22, From pF, To nF

Enter 22 with pF → nF. 22 × 10⁻¹² ÷ 10⁻⁹.

Result: 0.022

Most catalogues would still list this as 22 pF.

Is 100 nF the same as 0.1 µF?

Yes. 100 × 10⁻⁹ F = 0.1 × 10⁻⁶ F = 10⁻⁷ F. Enter 0.1 µF → nF and the tool shows 100.

What does mF mean on a capacitor?

In modern SI notation mF is millifarad (10⁻³ F). On old American capacitors, though, "MF" or "mfd" usually meant microfarad. Judge by the physical size: a small can marked 10 MFD is 10 µF.

How do I read a code like 473?

Take 47 and add three zeros: 47,000 pF. Converted, that is 47 nF or 0.047 µF.

Can I convert capacitance to charge or energy?

Not in this tool. Charge is Q = C × V and stored energy is E = ½ × C × V², with C in farads — which you can get from this converter.

Why are nanofarads less common in some catalogues?

US practice historically skipped nF and wrote values like 0.01 µF or 10,000 pF. European and Asian suppliers use nF routinely. They are all equivalent.

Does the tool round the result?

It returns up to 10 significant digits, so prefix conversions come out exact for ordinary values.