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Series and Parallel Capacitor Calculator

Calculate total capacitance for series or parallel capacitor networks with our advanced calculator
Capacitor Calculator
Capacitor Code
Reference

Series and Parallel Capacitor Calculator

Series Connection
Parallel Connection
10μF, 22μF, 47μF
0.1μF, 0.22μF, 0.47μF
100pF, 220pF, 470pF
Enter capacitor values to calculate total capacitance

Note: The circuit diagram updates automatically as you add or remove capacitors.

Capacitor Code Calculator

Decode Capacitor Value from Code

Enter a capacitor code to see its value

Find Code from Capacitance Value

Enter a capacitance value to find its code
Enter a code or value

Capacitor Code Format

For 3-digit codes:

  • First two digits: significant figures
  • Third digit: multiplier (power of 10)
  • Example: 104 = 10 × 104 pF = 100,000 pF = 0.1 μF

For 1-2 digit codes:

  • Simply the value in pF
  • Example: 47 = 47 pF

Capacitor Reference Guide

Capacitance Formulas

Series Connection:

1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... + 1/Cn

For two capacitors: Ctotal = (C1 × C2) / (C1 + C2)

Parallel Connection:

Ctotal = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn

Common Capacitor Types

Type Typical Range Applications
Ceramic 1 pF - 1 μF Decoupling, filtering
Electrolytic 1 μF - 10,000 μF Power supply filtering
Tantalum 0.1 μF - 1000 μF Filtering, timing
Film 100 pF - 10 μF Audio, precision timing

Capacitor Characteristics

Characteristic Description
Capacitance Ability to store charge (measured in farads)
Voltage Rating Maximum voltage the capacitor can withstand
ESR Equivalent Series Resistance (lower is better)
Temperature Coefficient How capacitance changes with temperature

Capacitor Connection Examples

Series Connection Example

Given: 2 μF, 5 μF, 10 μF in series

  • 1/Ctotal = 1/2 + 1/5 + 1/10 = 0.5 + 0.2 + 0.1 = 0.8
  • Ctotal = 1 / 0.8 = 1.25 μF

Note: Series connection always results in a total capacitance less than the smallest individual capacitor.

Parallel Connection Example

Given: 2 μF, 5 μF, 10 μF in parallel

  • Ctotal = 2 + 5 + 10 = 17 μF

Note: Parallel connection results in a total capacitance equal to the sum of all individual capacitors.