Capacitor number code

The post “capacitor number code” lists Non Polarized capacitors number codes with their values in Pico Farad (pF), Nano Farad (nF), and Micro Farad (µF) respectively. Also, it teaches you how to calculate the value by yourself for knowledge sake. This is because you may not be close or in position of the number codes and values of the capacitors table which I provide below. Beside, as an Engineer concern you should be able to calculate this type of capacitors’ values.

First of all, I will teach you how to calculate the values of non polarized capacitors which they only have number codes printed on them. The number codes on these capacitors are not their values don’t mistaken the codes with its real value. Why do I need to know how to calculate the value? Is that your question? I have stated the reason why you should above. It is very paramount for an Electrical and Electronics Engineer to have the knowledge of calculating non polarized capacitors value. Please, I recommend you learn this!

OK! Let’s start learning how to now!

How to calculate value of capacitor number code

These are the logics

• The 1st number is the 1st digit
• The 2nd number is the 2nd digit
• The 3rd number is the number of the zeros to give the capacitance in Pico Farad (pF).

For example, to read the value of the capacitor below

The 1st number is 1 which is the 1st digit, 2nd number is 0 which is the 2nd digit, and the 3rd number is 4 which means 4zeros (0000)

Therefore we write; 100000pF = 100nF = 0.1µF

What if the number on the capacitor is 102? What is its actual value?

Thus, you will solve it this way: The first digit is “1” the second digit is “0” and the third digit which is the number of zeros is “2”. Therefore; we write “10” (for the first and second digit). Placing the figure of the third digit which is the number of zeros we finally have; 1000 which is in Pico Farad (1000pF) = 1nF = 0.001µF.

Note that; some of the capacitors will have a number and a decimal point example 1.2, 2.2, 4.4, etc. Also, some will have the numbers of Tens like 15, 20, etc. When you look very carefully at the top of these capacitors, you will notice that it is shaded black. This indicates that the value is straight away in Pico Farad (pF). Thus, for the ones above; 1.2 would be 1.2pF, 2.2 means 2.2pF, 15pF, and 20pF respectively.

Conversion of capacitance

It is also important to know how to convert capacitance from one unit to another different unit. So, in general below are the prefix, symbol, and multiple by respectively of most commonly used capacitor units.

Prefix             Symbol          Multiply by

Pico                p                      10^-12 (0.000000000001)

Nano              n                      10^-9 (0.000000001)

Micro             µ                      10^-6 (0.000001)

To make things simple, 1µF = 1,000nF =1,000,000pF

Tips of converting the units to another different unit

1. Pico Farad to Nano Farad: Divide by 1,000
2. Pico Farad to Micro Farad: Divide by 1,000,000
3. Nano Farad to Pico Farad: Multiply by 1,000
4. Nano Farad to Micro Farad: Divide by 1,000
5. Micro Farad to Pico Farad: Multiply by 1,000,000
6. Micro Farad to Nano Farad: Multiply by 1,000

Example1

Convert 10pF to nF

From the tip N0.1, we will divide it by 1000. Thus; 10/1000= 0.01nF

Example2

Convert 22nF to µF

22/1000 = 0.022µF

Example3

What is the value of 0.15µF in pF?

0.15 X 1,000,000 = 150,000pF

With the tips above, you can convert unit capacitance to different units.

However, you might come across of some capacitors with number codes followed by an English alphabet or letter which do not mean units. Letters on the capacitor indicate its tolerance and sometimes company’s series.

If this article “capacitor number code” is interesting and educative to you, don’t forget to share with your family and friends at the end.

The table below is the Capacitor number code and their values in pF, nF, and µF respectively.

Capacitance Code N0	Pico Farad (pF)	Nano Farad (nF)	Micro Farad (µF)
102	1000	1 or 1n	0.001
152	1500	1.5 0r 1n5	0.0015
222	2200	2.2 0r 2n2	0.0022
332	3300	3.3 or 3n3	0.0033
472	4700	4.7 or 4n7	0.0047
682	6800	6.8 or 6n8	0.0068
103	10000	10 or 10n	0.01
153	15000	15 or 15n	0.015
223	22000	22 or 22n	0.022
333	33000	33 or 33n	0.033
473	47000	47 or 47n	0.047
683	68000	68 or 68n	0.068
104	100000	100 or 100n	0.1
154	150000	150 or 150n	0.15
224	220000	120 or 120n	0.22
334	330000	330 or 330n	0.33
474	470000	470 or 470n	0.47
1.5	1.5
3.3	3.3
10	10
15	15
20	20
30	30
33	33
47	47
56	56
68	68
75	75
82	82
91	91
101	100	0.1n or n1	0.0001
121	120	0.12n 0r n12	0.00012
131	130	0.13 or n13	0.00013
151	150	0.15n or n15	0.00015
181	180	0.18n or n18	0.00018
221	220	0.22n or n22	0.00022
331	330	0.33n or n33	0.00033
471	470	0.47n	0.00047
561	560	0.56n	0.00056
681	680	0.68n	0.00068
751	750	0.75n	0.00075
821	820	0.82n	0.00082
202	2000	2n	0.002
502	5000	5n	0.005
562	5600	5.6n or 5n6	0.0056
203	20000	20n	0.02
503	50000	50n	0.05
563	560000	560n	0.56
204	200000	200n	0.2
564	560000	560n	0.56
105	1000000	1000n	1
205	2000000	2000n	2