Science & Engineering
Capacitor Code Calculator - Decode & Encode Capacitor Codes
Decode 3-digit ceramic capacitor codes (like 104 = 100 nF) to picofarads, nanofarads, and microfarads. Also convert a capacitance value back to its 3-digit code.
Decode a code
Picofarads (pF)
100,000
Nanofarads (nF)
100
Microfarads (µF)
0.1
Tolerance: ±10%
Encode a value
Enter a value in pF to get the 3-digit code.
Common Capacitor Codes
| Code | Value |
|---|---|
| 101 | 100 pF |
| 102 | 1 nF |
| 103 | 10 nF |
| 104 | 100 nF (0.1 µF) |
| 105 | 1 µF |
| 472 | 4.7 nF |
| 473 | 47 nF |
| 474 | 470 nF |
| 222 | 2.2 nF |
| 223 | 22 nF |
| 224 | 220 nF |
| 332 | 3.3 nF |
| 333 | 33 nF |
| 334 | 330 nF |
| 682 | 6.8 nF |
| 683 | 68 nF |
| 684 | 680 nF |
| 152 | 1.5 nF |
| 153 | 15 nF |
| 106 | 10 µF |
How three-digit codes work
The three-digit code on ceramic and film capacitors works as follows: the first two digits are the significant value, and the third digit is the power-of-ten multiplier (number of zeros to append), always in picofarads (pF).
Example: 104 -> first two digits = 10, third digit = 4 (multiply by 10⁴ = 10,000) -> 10 × 10,000 = 100,000 pF = 100 nF = 0.1 µF.
Tolerance codes
| Letter | 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% |
Voltage rating markings
Voltage ratings may be printed alongside the capacitance code in several ways: as a number followed by a letter (e.g., 1H = 50 V using EIA code), as a direct voltage value (e.g., 50V or 50VDC), or via a letter code where common values include E = 25 V, F = 35 V, G = 40 V, H = 50 V, I = 63 V, J = 63 V, K = 80 V. Always verify the voltage rating for your specific component's datasheet, as coding conventions vary by manufacturer.