Capacitor Value &Conversion Calculator
Convert between pF, nF, µF, mF and F instantly, then calculate series and parallel combinations with visual circuit diagrams.
Capacitance Tools
Unit conversion & circuit combinations
Quick Reference
1 F = 1,000 mF = 1,000,000 µF
1 µF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF
How to Use
Unit Converter
Enter a capacitance value and select input/output units. All conversions are shown instantly.
Series Connection
Total capacitance decreases. Useful for smaller values or higher voltage ratings.
Parallel Connection
Total capacitance increases. Combine capacitors to achieve larger values.
Standard Values
E6 Series (20% tolerance)
1.0 · 1.5 · 2.2 · 3.3 · 4.7 · 6.8
E12 Series (10% tolerance)
1.0 · 1.2 · 1.5 · 1.8 · 2.2 · 2.7 · 3.3 · 3.9 · 4.7 · 5.6 · 6.8 · 8.2
E24 Series (5% tolerance)
Includes all E12 values plus intermediate steps for finer granularity.
Unit Conversion Reference
Farad
1 F
= 10⁰ F
Millifarad
1 mF
= 10⁻³ F
Microfarad
1 µF
= 10⁻⁶ F
Nanofarad
1 nF
= 10⁻⁹ F
Capacitance Conversion Chart
The full picofarad, nanofarad and microfarad ladder. Each step is a factor of 1,000: 1 µF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF.
| Value | pF | nF | µF | Farads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pF | 1 | 0.001 | 0.000001 | 1 x 10⁻¹² F |
| 10 pF | 10 | 0.01 | 0.00001 | 1 x 10⁻¹¹ F |
| 100 pF | 100 | 0.1 | 0.0001 | 1 x 10⁻¹⁰ F |
| 1 nF | 1,000 | 1 | 0.001 | 1 x 10⁻⁹ F |
| 10 nF | 10,000 | 10 | 0.01 | 1 x 10⁻⁸ F |
| 100 nF | 100,000 | 100 | 0.1 | 1 x 10⁻⁷ F |
| 1 µF | 1,000,000 | 1,000 | 1 | 1 x 10⁻⁶ F |
| 10 µF | 10,000,000 | 10,000 | 10 | 1 x 10⁻⁵ F |
| 100 µF | 100,000,000 | 100,000 | 100 | 1 x 10⁻⁴ F |
| 1,000 µF | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000 | 1 x 10⁻³ F |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert pF to µF?
Divide the picofarad value by 1,000,000. A 100,000 pF capacitor is 0.1 µF. Going the other way, multiply microfarads by 1,000,000 — so 4.7 µF is 4,700,000 pF.
How do you convert nF to µF?
Divide the nanofarad value by 1,000. So 100 nF is 0.1 µF, and 4.7 nF is 0.0047 µF. To convert microfarads back to nanofarads, multiply by 1,000.
What is the difference between µF, MFD and mF?
µF and MFD are the same unit. MFD is an older marking convention still printed on motor-run and HVAC capacitors, and it means microfarad — not millifarad. A true millifarad (mF) is 1,000 µF, but the abbreviation is rarely used on components precisely because it is so easily confused with MFD. If a capacitor is marked 45 MFD, it is 45 µF.
Why are capacitors rated in pF, nF and µF instead of farads?
One farad is an enormous amount of capacitance. Almost every capacitor used in electronics falls between a few picofarads and a few thousand microfarads, so the sub-units keep the numbers readable — 0.0000001 F is far harder to read on a schematic than 100 nF.
How do I combine capacitor values in series and parallel?
Capacitance adds in parallel (C = C1 + C2) and follows the reciprocal rule in series (1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2), which makes a series pair smaller than either capacitor alone. Our series and parallel calculator works the voltage ratings out at the same time, which is the part that matters for safety.
Need Specific Capacitor Values?
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