Capacitor Code Converter

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Capacitor Code Converter
INPUT CODE
CALCULATED CAPACITY
Picofarads (pF)–
Nanofarads (nF)–
Microfarads (µF)–
HOW TO READ
104

Example: 10 + 4 zeros = 100,000 pF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I read a 3-digit capacitor code?
The first two digits are the value, and the third digit is the multiplier (number of zeros). The result is always in Picofarads (pF). For example, 104 means 10 followed by 4 zeros, which is 100,000 pF.
2. What does 104J or 104K mean on a capacitor?
The letter after the numbers represents the tolerance. J means ±5%, K means ±10%, and M means ±20%. This tells you how accurate the capacitance value is.
3. Why is my capacitor code only 2 digits?
If a capacitor only has two digits (like 22), it usually means the value is simply that number in pF (22 pF), without a multiplier.
4. Can I use this for Electrolytic Capacitors?
Electrolytic capacitors are usually large enough to have their values (like 10µF) printed directly on the casing. This 3-digit code system is primarily for Ceramic and Film capacitors.
5. What is the difference between pF, nF, and µF?
These are units of scale: 1,000 pF = 1 nF, and 1,000 nF = 1 µF. Our converter automatically handles these conversions to save you from manual math errors.

Quick Reference: Top 10 Common Capacitor Codes
CodePicofarads (pF)Nanofarads (nF)Microfarads (µF)
101100 pF0.1 nF0.0001 µF
1021,000 pF1 nF0.001 µF
10310,000 pF10 nF0.01 µF
104100,000 pF100 nF0.1 µF
1051,000,000 pF1,000 nF1 µF
2222,200 pF2.2 nF0.0022 µF
22322,000 pF22 nF0.022 µF
4724,700 pF4.7 nF0.0047 µF
47347,000 pF47 nF0.047 µF
68368,000 pF68 nF0.068 µF
Technical Guide: How to Read 3-Digit Codes
Understanding the 3-digit marking on ceramic or film capacitors is simple. The 1st and 2nd digits represent the base value, while the 3rd digit is the multiplier (the number of zeros to add). The base unit is always Picofarads (pF).

Example: Code 473
• 47 (Base Value)
• 3 (Multiplier = 3 Zeros)
• Result: 47,000 pF = 47 nF = 0.047 µF

Capacitor Tolerance Letter Codes
Following the three digits, you may see a letter. This indicates the tolerance or precision of the capacitor:
• J: ±5%
• K: ±10%
• M: ±20%
• Z: +80% / -20% (Common in decoupling caps)
Conversion Logic (pF vs nF vs µF)
To convert between units, remember that the factor is always 1,000:
• 1,000 pF = 1 nF
• 1,000 nF = 1 µF
• 1,000,000 pF = 1 µF

When calculating manually, move the decimal point 3 places to the left for each step up in unit size.

Last Updated on April 7, 2026 by Kevin Chen

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