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




ceramic capacitor number code 104

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

10001 or 1n0.001

152

15001.5 0r 1n5

0.0015

222

22002.2 0r 2n20.0022

332

33003.3 or 3n3

0.0033

472

47004.7 or 4n7

0.0047

682

68006.8 or 6n8

0.0068

103

10000

10 or 10n

0.01

153

1500015 or 15n

0.015

223

2200022 or 22n

0.022

333

3300033 or 33n0.033

473

4700047 or 47n

0.047

6836800068 or 68n

0.068

104

100000100 or 100n0.1

154

150000150 or 150n

0.15

224220000120 or 120n

0.22

334

330000330 or 330n0.33

474

470000470 or 470n

0.47

1.5

1.5

  
3.33.3

 

 

10

10

  

15

15

  

20

20

  

30

30

  

33

33

  

47

47

  

56

56

  

68

68

  

75

75  

82

82

  
91

91

  

101

1000.1n or n10.0001

121

1200.12n 0r n120.00012
1311300.13 or n13

0.00013

1511500.15n or n15

0.00015

181

1800.18n or n180.00018

221

2200.22n or n220.00022
3313300.33n or n33

0.00033

4714700.47n

0.00047

561

5600.56n0.00056

681

6800.68n0.00068
7517500.75n

0.00075

8218200.82n

0.00082

202

20002n0.002

502

50005n0.005
56256005.6n or 5n6

0.0056

2032000020n

0.02

503

5000050n0.05

563

560000560n0.56

204

200000200n

0.2

564

560000560n

0.56

105

10000001000n1
20520000002000n

2




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