Capacitor Code Calculator

This free capacitor code calculator decodes the markings printed on ceramic, film, mica and tantalum capacitors. Type a code such as 104, 103, 473J or 2A104K to get the capacitance in pF, nF and µF together with the tolerance and voltage rating, or enter a value like 100 nF to find its three-digit code. A full capacitor code chart is below.

How to read a capacitor code

The first two digits are the significant figures.
The third digit is the number of zeros to add (the multiplier). The result is in picofarads (pF). A third digit of 8 means ×0.01 and 9 means ×0.1.
A letter after the number is the tolerance (J = ±5%, K = ±10%, M = ±20%).
A digit and letter before the number, such as 2A, is the voltage code.

Capacitance (pF) = first two digits × 10^{third digit}
1,000 pF = 1 nF · 1,000 nF = 1 µF

Example: 473J

47 × 10³ = 47,000 pF = 47 nF (0.047 µF), and J means ±5%.

Capacitor code chart

Code	pF	nF	µF
100	10	0.01	0.00001
101	100	0.1	0.0001
221	220	0.22	0.00022
331	330	0.33	0.00033
471	470	0.47	0.00047
102	1,000	1	0.001
222	2,200	2.2	0.0022
472	4,700	4.7	0.0047
103	10,000	10	0.01
223	22,000	22	0.022
473	47,000	47	0.047
104	100,000	100	0.1
224	220,000	220	0.22
474	470,000	470	0.47
105	1,000,000	1,000	1
106	10,000,000	10,000	10

Tolerance letter codes

Letter	Tolerance
B	±0.1 pF
C	±0.25 pF
D	±0.5 pF
F	±1%
G	±2%
J	±5%
K	±10%
M	±20%
Z	+80% / −20%

Voltage codes (EIA)

Code	Voltage	Code	Voltage
0G	4 V	1K	80 V
0J	6.3 V	2A	100 V
1A	10 V	2D	200 V
1C	16 V	2E	250 V
1D	20 V	2G	400 V
1E	25 V	2W	450 V
1V	35 V	2J	630 V
1H	50 V	3A	1000 V
1J	63 V

Reading resistors too? Use the resistor color code calculator. Choosing a timing capacitor? Try the 555 timer calculator or the RC filter calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What does 104 mean on a capacitor?

104 means 10 followed by 4 zeros, in picofarads: 100,000 pF = 100 nF = 0.1 µF. It is the most common decoupling capacitor value in electronics.

What is a 103 capacitor?

103 is 10 × 10³ pF = 10,000 pF = 10 nF = 0.01 µF. A 473 is 47,000 pF = 47 nF = 0.047 µF, and a 105 is 1,000,000 pF = 1,000 nF = 1 µF.

What do the letters J, K and M mean on a capacitor?

A single letter after the number is the tolerance: J = ±5%, K = ±10%, M = ±20%. F = ±1% and G = ±2% are used on precision parts, and Z = +80% / −20% on some ceramic capacitors. For values under 10 pF, B, C and D give the tolerance in picofarads instead.

What does 2A mean on a film capacitor?

A digit followed by a letter, printed before or above the value, is the EIA voltage code. 2A = 100 V, 2E = 250 V, 2G = 400 V and 2J = 630 V; 1H = 50 V and 1E = 25 V. So "2A104J" is a 100 nF, ±5%, 100 V capacitor.

How do I read a capacitor with no code, like "4R7" or ".1"?

An R marks the decimal point in picofarads, so 4R7 is 4.7 pF. A plain decimal number such as .1 or 0.047 on a film capacitor is in microfarads (0.1 µF = 100 nF). Electrolytic capacitors print the value directly, for example 470 µF 25 V.

Code → value

Value → code