Type the code printed on a ceramic, film or tantalum capacitor and this free capacitor code calculator gives you its value in pF, nF and µF, its tolerance and its voltage rating. It also works backwards, turning a value into its code. For example, a 104 capacitor is 100,000 pF, which is the same as 100 nF or 0.1 µF.
Capacitor code calculator
Type the code printed on the capacitor to get its value, tolerance and voltage, or turn a value into its code.
How to Read a Capacitor Code
Most small capacitors are too small to print the full value, so makers use a 3-digit code. The first two digits are the value, and the third digit is the number of zeros to add. The answer is in picofarads (pF).
- 104 = 10 + 0000 = 100,000 pF = 100 nF = 0.1 µF
- 473 = 47 + 000 = 47,000 pF = 47 nF = 0.047 µF
- 222 = 22 + 00 = 2,200 pF = 2.2 nF
- 101 = 10 + 0 = 100 pF
To change units, remember that 1 nF = 1,000 pF and 1 µF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF, or use the capacitance converter. If the µ symbol confuses you, see what the microfarad symbol means.
Special Third Digits
- 8 means ×0.01 and 9 means ×0.1. So 479 = 47 × 0.1 = 4.7 pF.
- 7 is mostly used on tantalum capacitors: 107 = 100 µF and 227 = 220 µF.
- A 0 adds no zeros, so 470 = 47 pF and 100 = 10 pF.
Other Ways the Value Is Printed
| Marking | Meaning | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 47 or 22 | One or two digits are picofarads | 47 pF, 22 pF |
| 4R7 | R is the decimal point, in pF | 4.7 pF |
| 4n7, n47 | n is the decimal point, in nF | 4.7 nF, 0.47 nF |
| 2u2 or 2µ2 | u or µ is the decimal point, in µF | 2.2 µF |
| p68 | p is the decimal point, in pF | 0.68 pF |
| .1 or 0.047 | A decimal number with no unit is in µF | 0.1 µF, 0.047 µF |
| 10 MFD | MFD or MF means µF (older and HVAC capacitors) | 10 µF |
Capacitor Code Chart
This chart covers the codes you will see most often. Find your code in the first column.
| Code | Picofarads (pF) | Nanofarads (nF) | Microfarads (µF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 10 pF | 0.01 nF | 0.00001 µF |
| 150 | 15 pF | 0.015 nF | 0.000015 µF |
| 220 | 22 pF | 0.022 nF | 0.000022 µF |
| 330 | 33 pF | 0.033 nF | 0.000033 µF |
| 470 | 47 pF | 0.047 nF | 0.000047 µF |
| 680 | 68 pF | 0.068 nF | 0.000068 µF |
| 101 | 100 pF | 0.1 nF | 0.0001 µF |
| 151 | 150 pF | 0.15 nF | 0.00015 µF |
| 221 | 220 pF | 0.22 nF | 0.00022 µF |
| 331 | 330 pF | 0.33 nF | 0.00033 µF |
| 471 | 470 pF | 0.47 nF | 0.00047 µF |
| 681 | 680 pF | 0.68 nF | 0.00068 µF |
| 102 | 1,000 pF | 1 nF | 0.001 µF |
| 152 | 1,500 pF | 1.5 nF | 0.0015 µF |
| 222 | 2,200 pF | 2.2 nF | 0.0022 µF |
| 332 | 3,300 pF | 3.3 nF | 0.0033 µF |
| 472 | 4,700 pF | 4.7 nF | 0.0047 µF |
| 682 | 6,800 pF | 6.8 nF | 0.0068 µF |
| 103 | 10,000 pF | 10 nF | 0.01 µF |
| 153 | 15,000 pF | 15 nF | 0.015 µF |
| 223 | 22,000 pF | 22 nF | 0.022 µF |
| 333 | 33,000 pF | 33 nF | 0.033 µF |
| 473 | 47,000 pF | 47 nF | 0.047 µF |
| 683 | 68,000 pF | 68 nF | 0.068 µF |
| 104 | 100,000 pF | 100 nF | 0.1 µF |
| 154 | 150,000 pF | 150 nF | 0.15 µF |
| 224 | 220,000 pF | 220 nF | 0.22 µF |
| 334 | 330,000 pF | 330 nF | 0.33 µF |
| 474 | 470,000 pF | 470 nF | 0.47 µF |
| 684 | 680,000 pF | 680 nF | 0.68 µF |
| 105 | 1,000,000 pF | 1,000 nF | 1 µF |
| 155 | 1,500,000 pF | 1,500 nF | 1.5 µF |
| 225 | 2,200,000 pF | 2,200 nF | 2.2 µF |
| 335 | 3,300,000 pF | 3,300 nF | 3.3 µF |
| 475 | 4,700,000 pF | 4,700 nF | 4.7 µF |
| 685 | 6,800,000 pF | 6,800 nF | 6.8 µF |
| 106 | 10,000,000 pF | 10,000 nF | 10 µF |
| 226 | 22,000,000 pF | 22,000 nF | 22 µF |
| 476 | 47,000,000 pF | 47,000 nF | 47 µF |
| 107 | 100,000,000 pF | 100,000 nF | 100 µF |
Capacitor Tolerance Codes
A letter after the code shows how far the real value may be from the marked value. For example, 104K is 100 nF ±10%, so anything from 90 nF to 110 nF is within spec.
| Letter | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| B | ±0.1 pF |
| C | ±0.25 pF |
| D | ±0.5 pF (or ±0.5% on larger values) |
| F | ±1% |
| G | ±2% |
| H | ±3% |
| J | ±5% |
| K | ±10% |
| M | ±20% |
| Z | +80% / −20% |
Capacitor Voltage Codes
Film and some ceramic capacitors start the marking with a digit and a letter. That is the voltage code. On 2A104J, 2A means 100 V, 104 means 100 nF and J means ±5%. Electrolytic capacitors usually print the voltage directly, like 25V.
| Code | Voltage | Code | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0G | 4 V | 2C | 160 V |
| 0J | 6.3 V | 2D | 200 V |
| 1A | 10 V | 2E | 250 V |
| 1C | 16 V | 2V | 350 V |
| 1E | 25 V | 2G | 400 V |
| 1V | 35 V | 2W | 450 V |
| 1H | 50 V | 2H | 500 V |
| 1J | 63 V | 2J | 630 V |
| 1K | 80 V | 3A | 1000 V |
| 2A | 100 V |
When you replace a capacitor, use the same capacitance and a voltage rating that is the same or higher, never lower.
Other Markings You May See
- X7R, X5R, C0G (NP0), Y5V: the ceramic type. C0G is the most stable. X7R and X5R change by up to ±15% with temperature. Y5V can lose most of its value when hot or cold.
- X2 or Y2: a mains safety class. X capacitors go across live and neutral, and Y capacitors go to ground. Replace them only with the same class, never a normal capacitor.
- MKT or MKP: a film capacitor (MKT is polyester, MKP is polypropylene).
- Stripe on an electrolytic capacitor: marks the negative (−) leg. The longer leg is positive.
- No marking at all: most surface-mount ceramic capacitors are not marked. Measure them, or check the circuit diagram.
How to Check a Capacitor Value with a Multimeter
If your multimeter has a capacitance setting, you can confirm the code in a few seconds.
- Turn off the power and discharge the capacitor. Large capacitors can hold a dangerous charge, so discharge them through a resistor, not a screwdriver.
- Take the capacitor out of the circuit, or lift one leg. Other parts on the board change the reading.
- Turn the dial to capacitance, marked with the ⊣⊢ symbol or F. See multimeter symbols if you cannot find it.
- For small values under about 100 pF, press REL (relative) with the leads plugged in, so the meter subtracts the leads’ own capacitance.
- Touch the probes to the two legs. On an electrolytic capacitor, put the red probe on the positive leg.
- Compare the reading with the tolerance range shown by the calculator above.
A reading far below the range, or no reading at all, means the capacitor has lost capacitance or is open. For a full step-by-step test, including what to do if your meter has no capacitance setting, read how to test a capacitor with a multimeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 104 capacitor?
A 104 capacitor is 100,000 pF, which is the same as 100 nF or 0.1 µF. The 10 is the value and the 4 means add four zeros. It is the most common small capacitor in electronics, used to filter noise on power pins.
What does 103 mean on a capacitor?
103 means 10 followed by three zeros: 10,000 pF, which is 10 nF or 0.01 µF.
What does 474 mean on a capacitor?
474 means 47 followed by four zeros: 470,000 pF, which is 470 nF or 0.47 µF.
What do J, K and M after the code mean?
They are tolerance letters. J means ±5%, K means ±10% and M means ±20%. A 104K capacitor can measure anywhere from 90 nF to 110 nF and still be good.
What does 2A mean on a capacitor?
2A is an EIA voltage code that means the capacitor is rated for 100 V DC. On a marking like 2A104J, 2A is the voltage, 104 is the value (100 nF) and J is the tolerance (±5%).
Is 0.1 µF the same as 100 nF?
Yes. 0.1 µF, 100 nF and 100,000 pF are the same value, and all of them are coded 104.
Can I replace a capacitor with a higher voltage rating?
Yes. Use the same capacitance and type, and a voltage rating equal to or higher than the original. A higher rating is fine, although the part may be physically bigger. Never use a lower voltage rating.
Why does my multimeter read a different value than the code?
Small differences are normal because of tolerance. A 104M can read anywhere from 80 nF to 120 nF. Very small capacitors under about 100 pF are also affected by the meter leads, and cheap Y5V ceramics can read well below their marked value.