Capacitor Code Calculator
Type a ceramic capacitor code like 104 or 223 and read its value in pF, nF and µF, with the tolerance letter decoded and a reverse lookup from value back to code.
This capacitor value calculator turns a stamped ceramic capacitor code into a real capacitance. Type the three digits and it reads the first two as significant figures and the third as a power-of-ten multiplier, so 104 becomes 100000 pF, which is 100 nF or 0.1 µF. Add the tolerance letter (J, K, M and the rest) to see the percentage band, and enter the voltage if it is printed on the part. It works as a capacitor marking decoder both ways: switch to reverse mode and it gives you the code to look for when you know the value you want.
Capacitor code
Capacitance
0.1 µF
10 × 10000 pF
- Picofarads (pF)
- 100000
- Nanofarads (nF)
- 100
- Microfarads (µF)
- 0.1
- Tolerance
- —
Ceramic codes read as two significant digits and a power-of-ten multiplier. A plain 1- or 2-digit marking is the value in picofarads. Larger electrolytics are usually printed in µF directly, not coded.
How it works
- 1
Type the code
Enter the digits printed on the cap, such as 104, 223 or a plain 47. The value updates as you type.
- 2
Add the tolerance
Pick the tolerance letter if the part shows one, and type the voltage rating to keep it on the readout.
- 3
Read the value
See the capacitance in picofarads, nanofarads and microfarads at once, then copy the result.
- 4
Reverse it
Switch to value-to-code mode, enter a capacitance and unit, and get the marking to search for.
Instant & 100% private — nothing is uploaded
Every calculation runs locally in your browser. The income, balances and goals you enter stay on your own device and are never sent to a server — nothing is stored, logged or shared.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the capacitor code 104 mean?
- The 1 and 0 are the significant figures and the 4 is the multiplier, so it reads 10 followed by four zeros: 100000 pF. That is 100 nF, or 0.1 µF, one of the most common decoupling values.
- How do I read a ceramic capacitor code?
- Take the first two digits as the number and the third as the count of zeros to add, giving a value in picofarads. A code of only one or two digits is already the picofarad value, so 47 simply means 47 pF.
- What do the letters on a capacitor mean?
- A single letter after the digits is the tolerance. J is ±5%, K is ±10% and M is ±20%; tighter parts use F for ±1% or G for ±2%, and very small caps use B, C or D in picofarads.
- How do I convert pF to nF and µF?
- Divide picofarads by 1000 for nanofarads and by 1,000,000 for microfarads. This decoder shows all three units together so you do not have to shift the decimal point by hand.
- Why is my capacitor not printed with a code?
- Larger electrolytic and film capacitors usually print the value and voltage in full, like 470 µF 25V, so there is nothing to decode. The three-digit shorthand is mainly used on small ceramic discs and MLCCs where there is no room for the whole number.
- What does a code like 339 mean?
- The third digit 8 or 9 is a special multiplier: 8 means ×0.01 and 9 means ×0.1. So 339 is 33 × 0.1 = 3.3 pF, not a huge value.
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