Capacitance Converter

Multiply microfarads (µF) by 1,000 to get nanofarads (nF). A common 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor equals 100 nF or 100,000 pF. Capacitor markings often use different prefixes - knowing the conversions helps read datasheets correctly.

Bypass capacitors are typically 0.1 µF (100 nF). Timing circuits use 1-100 µF electrolytic capacitors. Audio coupling caps range from 1-10 µF. RF circuits use tiny 1-100 pF ceramic caps. Supercapacitors for energy storage reach 1-3,000 F.

The first two digits are the value and the third is the multiplier (number of zeros) in picofarads. So 104 means 10 followed by 4 zeros = 100,000 pF = 100 nF = 0.1 µF. Code 473 means 47,000 pF = 47 nF = 0.047 µF.

One farad is enormous - it can store 1 coulomb at 1 volt. Most electronic capacitors are measured in microfarads (10⁻⁶ F), nanofarads (10⁻⁹ F) or picofarads (10⁻¹² F). Only supercapacitors used in energy storage and backup power reach full farad values.

A kilofarad (kF) equals 1,000 farads. Kilofarad-scale capacitors exist in industrial energy storage, grid stabilization and regenerative braking systems. A single ultracapacitor bank for a city bus might total 10-20 kF to capture braking energy.