This free capacitance converter changes any value between picofarads (pF), nanofarads (nF), microfarads (µF), millifarads (mF) and farads (F). The rule behind it is simple: each unit is 1,000 times bigger than the one before it, so 1 µF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF.
Convert pF, nF, µF, mF and F
Type a value and pick its unit. Every other unit updates as you type.
How to Convert Capacitance Units
Capacitance units go up in steps of 1,000:
- 1 F = 1,000 mF
- 1 mF = 1,000 µF
- 1 µF = 1,000 nF
- 1 nF = 1,000 pF
To go to a smaller unit, multiply by 1,000 for each step. To go to a bigger unit, divide by 1,000 for each step. Two steps means 1,000,000.
| To convert | Do this | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pF to nF | Divide by 1,000 | 4,700 pF = 4.7 nF |
| nF to pF | Multiply by 1,000 | 2.2 nF = 2,200 pF |
| nF to µF | Divide by 1,000 | 470 nF = 0.47 µF |
| µF to nF | Multiply by 1,000 | 0.022 µF = 22 nF |
| pF to µF | Divide by 1,000,000 | 100,000 pF = 0.1 µF |
| µF to pF | Multiply by 1,000,000 | 0.001 µF = 1,000 pF |
| µF to mF | Divide by 1,000 | 4,700 µF = 4.7 mF |
| µF to F | Divide by 1,000,000 | 1,000 µF = 0.001 F |
nF to µF Conversion Chart
Divide nanofarads by 1,000 to get microfarads. These are the values you will see most often in circuits.
| Nanofarads (nF) | Microfarads (µF) | Picofarads (pF) | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 nF | 0.001 µF | 1,000 pF | 102 |
| 2.2 nF | 0.0022 µF | 2,200 pF | 222 |
| 4.7 nF | 0.0047 µF | 4,700 pF | 472 |
| 10 nF | 0.01 µF | 10,000 pF | 103 |
| 22 nF | 0.022 µF | 22,000 pF | 223 |
| 33 nF | 0.033 µF | 33,000 pF | 333 |
| 47 nF | 0.047 µF | 47,000 pF | 473 |
| 68 nF | 0.068 µF | 68,000 pF | 683 |
| 100 nF | 0.1 µF | 100,000 pF | 104 |
| 220 nF | 0.22 µF | 220,000 pF | 224 |
| 330 nF | 0.33 µF | 330,000 pF | 334 |
| 470 nF | 0.47 µF | 470,000 pF | 474 |
| 680 nF | 0.68 µF | 680,000 pF | 684 |
| 1,000 nF | 1 µF | 1,000,000 pF | 105 |
µF to nF Conversion Chart
Multiply microfarads by 1,000 to get nanofarads. US parts and schematics often write small values in µF, like 0.047 µF, while European ones use nF.
| Microfarads (µF) | Nanofarads (nF) | Picofarads (pF) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.001 µF | 1 nF | 1,000 pF |
| 0.0022 µF | 2.2 nF | 2,200 pF |
| 0.0047 µF | 4.7 nF | 4,700 pF |
| 0.01 µF | 10 nF | 10,000 pF |
| 0.022 µF | 22 nF | 22,000 pF |
| 0.047 µF | 47 nF | 47,000 pF |
| 0.1 µF | 100 nF | 100,000 pF |
| 0.22 µF | 220 nF | 220,000 pF |
| 0.47 µF | 470 nF | 470,000 pF |
| 1 µF | 1,000 nF | 1,000,000 pF |
| 2.2 µF | 2,200 nF | 2,200,000 pF |
| 4.7 µF | 4,700 nF | 4,700,000 pF |
| 10 µF | 10,000 nF | 10,000,000 pF |
| 22 µF | 22,000 nF | 22,000,000 pF |
| 47 µF | 47,000 nF | 47,000,000 pF |
| 100 µF | 100,000 nF | 100,000,000 pF |
pF to nF Conversion Chart
Divide picofarads by 1,000 to get nanofarads. Small ceramic capacitors in radio and timing circuits are usually in pF.
| Picofarads (pF) | Nanofarads (nF) | Microfarads (µF) | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pF | 0.001 nF | 0.000001 µF | 1R0 |
| 4.7 pF | 0.0047 nF | 0.0000047 µF | 4R7 |
| 10 pF | 0.01 nF | 0.00001 µF | 100 |
| 22 pF | 0.022 nF | 0.000022 µF | 220 |
| 47 pF | 0.047 nF | 0.000047 µF | 470 |
| 100 pF | 0.1 nF | 0.0001 µF | 101 |
| 220 pF | 0.22 nF | 0.00022 µF | 221 |
| 470 pF | 0.47 nF | 0.00047 µF | 471 |
| 1,000 pF | 1 nF | 0.001 µF | 102 |
| 2,200 pF | 2.2 nF | 0.0022 µF | 222 |
| 4,700 pF | 4.7 nF | 0.0047 µF | 472 |
| 10,000 pF | 10 nF | 0.01 µF | 103 |
| 47,000 pF | 47 nF | 0.047 µF | 473 |
| 100,000 pF | 100 nF | 0.1 µF | 104 |
Capacitance Units and Symbols
| Unit | Symbol | Equal to | Also written as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picofarad | pF | 0.000000000001 F (10−12) | µµF or MMFD on old parts, p as in 4p7 |
| Nanofarad | nF | 0.000000001 F (10−9) | n as in 4n7 |
| Microfarad | µF | 0.000001 F (10−6) | uF, MFD, mfd, u as in 2u2 |
| Millifarad | mF | 0.001 F (10−3) | Large electrolytic and audio capacitors |
| Farad | F | 1 F | Supercapacitors, like 1 F or 10 F |
If a label uses MFD, uF or another form you are not sure about, my guide to the microfarad symbol explains each one. To read a 3-digit code like 104 or 473, use the capacitor code calculator.
Reading Capacitance on a Multimeter
An auto-ranging multimeter switches units by itself, so the same capacitor can show up in different ways. A 100 nF capacitor may read 99.8 nF on one meter and 0.099 µF on another. Both are the same value. A small 470 pF capacitor may show as 0.47 nF.
Convert the reading to the unit printed on the part, then compare. A difference of a few percent is normal because of tolerance. Values under about 100 pF are hard to measure, so press REL (relative) with the leads plugged in before you measure them. For the full method, read how to test a capacitor with a multimeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nF are in 1 µF?
There are 1,000 nanofarads in 1 microfarad. To change µF to nF, multiply by 1,000, so 0.47 µF is 470 nF.
How many pF are in 1 nF?
There are 1,000 picofarads in 1 nanofarad. To change nF to pF, multiply by 1,000, so 4.7 nF is 4,700 pF.
How many pF are in 1 µF?
There are 1,000,000 picofarads in 1 microfarad. That is two steps of 1,000, so 0.1 µF is 100,000 pF.
Is 100 nF the same as 0.1 µF?
Yes. 100 nF, 0.1 µF and 100,000 pF are the same value. On a small capacitor it is usually printed as the code 104.
How do I convert nF to µF?
Divide the nF value by 1,000. For example, 220 nF ÷ 1,000 = 0.22 µF, and 47 nF ÷ 1,000 = 0.047 µF.
What is 1000 µF in farads?
1,000 µF is 0.001 F, which is also 1 mF (millifarad). Divide µF by 1,000,000 to get farads.
Is uF the same as µF?
Yes. uF is just µF typed with a normal u, because the µ symbol is not on most keyboards. Both mean microfarads.
Does mF mean millifarad or microfarad?
On modern parts and in calculations, mF means millifarad (1,000 µF). Some old capacitors and HVAC parts use MF or MFD to mean microfarads, so check the size and age of the part.