Capacitance Converter
Free Capacitance Converter for tech & electronics units. Enter a value to see equivalent measurements across systems.
Formula
C = Q / V | E = 0.5 x C x V^2 | 1 F = 10^6 uF = 10^9 nF = 10^12 pF
Capacitance (C) is the ratio of charge (Q) to voltage (V). The farad is the SI unit, but practical capacitors use sub-units: microfarads (uF = 10^-6 F), nanofarads (nF = 10^-9 F), and picofarads (pF = 10^-12 F). Energy stored equals half the capacitance times voltage squared.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Capacitor Unit Conversion
Problem: Convert a 47 nF ceramic capacitor value to microfarads and picofarads.
Solution: 47 nF to uF: 47 / 1000 = 0.047 uF\n47 nF to pF: 47 x 1000 = 47,000 pF
Result: 47 nF = 0.047 uF = 47,000 pF
Example 2: Energy Storage Calculation
Problem: Calculate the energy stored in a 2200 uF capacitor charged to 25V.
Solution: E = 0.5 x C x V^2\nC = 2200 uF = 0.0022 F\nE = 0.5 x 0.0022 x 625\nE = 0.6875 joules
Result: 2200 uF at 25V stores 0.6875 joules of energy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is capacitance and what does it measure?
Capacitance measures a component's ability to store electrical charge. It is defined as the ratio of the electric charge stored on a conductor to the voltage across it (C = Q/V). The unit of capacitance is the farad (F), named after Michael Faraday. One farad is the capacitance of a device that stores one coulomb of charge per volt. In practice, most capacitors are measured in microfarads, nanofarads, or picofarads because one farad is an extremely large capacitance.
What factors affect the capacitance of a capacitor?
Three main factors determine capacitance: the area of the overlapping plates (larger area means higher capacitance), the distance between the plates (smaller distance means higher capacitance), and the dielectric material between the plates (higher dielectric constant means higher capacitance). The formula is C = epsilon times A divided by d, where epsilon is the permittivity of the dielectric, A is the plate area, and d is the plate separation. This is why different capacitor types use various materials and construction methods to achieve different capacitance ranges.
How do I get the most accurate result?
Enter values as precisely as possible using the correct units for each field. Check that you have selected the right unit (e.g. kilograms vs pounds, meters vs feet) before calculating. Rounding inputs early can reduce output precision.
How do I interpret the result?
Results are displayed with a label and unit to help you understand the output. Many calculators include a short explanation or classification below the result (for example, a BMI category or risk level). Refer to the worked examples section on this page for real-world context.
What formula does Capacitance Converter use?
The formula used is described in the Formula section on this page. It is based on widely accepted standards in the relevant field. If you need a specific reference or citation, the References section provides links to authoritative sources.
Is Capacitance Converter free to use?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up required. All calculators on NovaCalculator are free to use without registration, subscription, or payment.