SMD Capacitor Calculator

SMD Capacitor Code Decoding:

The capacitor code represents the capacitance in picoFarads (pF). Common formats include:

2-digit code: Direct value (e.g., "47" = 47pF)
3-digit code: First two digits are significant figures, third digit is multiplier (e.g., "104" = 10 × 10⁴ = 100,000pF = 100nF)
Letter codes: Some manufacturers use letter codes (e.g., "A" = 1.0pF)

Capacitance Value:

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is SMD Capacitor Coding?

SMD (Surface Mount Device) capacitors often use a numeric or alphanumeric code to represent their capacitance value due to the small size of the components. Understanding these codes is essential for proper component selection in circuit design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator interprets common SMD capacitor coding schemes:

2-digit codes: Direct value in picoFarads (pF)
3-digit codes: First two digits = significant figures, third digit = multiplier (power of 10)
Letter codes: Some manufacturers use single-letter codes for standard values

3. Importance of Correct Capacitor Values

Details: Using the correct capacitor value is crucial for proper circuit operation. Wrong values can affect filtering, timing, power regulation, and signal integrity in electronic circuits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the exact code printed on your SMD capacitor. The calculator will interpret both numeric (e.g., "104") and letter codes (e.g., "A").

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why do SMD capacitors use codes instead of values?
A: The small size of SMD components makes printing full values impractical. Codes provide a compact way to represent values.

Q2: What does "104" mean on a capacitor?
A: "104" means 10 × 10⁴ pF = 100,000pF or 100nF (0.1µF).

Q3: Are all SMD capacitor codes standardized?
A: While numeric codes are fairly standard, some manufacturers use proprietary letter codes. Always check datasheets when possible.

Q4: How accurate are these codes?
A: The code represents the nominal value. Actual capacitance may vary based on tolerance (typically ±5% to ±20%).

Q5: Can this calculator handle all SMD capacitor codes?
A: It handles the most common coding schemes, but some specialized or manufacturer-specific codes may require manual lookup.