How to Read Capacitance Values and Rated Voltage
![](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value.png)
This article details how to read the capacitance values and rated voltage of capacitors.
E series
Capacitance values are determined along the E series as follows.
The "E" in the E series stands for exponent, and the E12 series is completed by inserting the numbers 0 to 11 (12 numbers) into the "n" of the E12 series.
For Capacitors with an tolerance of ±10[%], using the E12 series values, 100[pF] is 90 to 110[pF], 120[pF] is 108 to 132[pF], and 150[pF] is 135 to 165[pF], so that the tolerance ranges overlap.
For resistors, the E12 series is often used, but for capacitors, the E3 or E6 series is often used.
E3/E6/E12/E24 series
E3 ±40% $\sqrt[3]{10^n}$ | E6 ±20% $\sqrt[6]{10^n}$ | E12 ±10% $\sqrt[12]{10^n}$ | E24 ±5% $\sqrt[24]{10^n}$ |
---|---|---|---|
1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
1.1 | |||
1.2 | 1.2 | ||
1.3 | |||
1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |
1.6 | |||
1.8 | 1.8 | ||
2.0 | |||
2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
2.4 | |||
2.7 | 2.7 | ||
3.0 | |||
3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | |
3.6 | |||
3.9 | 3.9 | ||
4.3 | |||
4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
5.1 | |||
5.6 | 5.6 | ||
6.2 | |||
6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | |
7.5 | |||
8.2 | 8.2 | ||
9.1 |
Digit Numbering
![Capacitor Digit Numbering](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-01.jpg)
Ceramic capacitors, film capacitors, tantalum capacitors and some chip capacitors are indicated by numbers as follows. In addition to numbers, there are also special markings such as R (decimal point).
Usually, "pF" is used as the standard, but for larger capacitance, "uF" may be used as the standard.
Digit Numbering
1st digit | 2nd digit | Multiplier |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | $10^0$ |
1 | 1 | $10^1$ |
2 | 2 | $10^2$ |
3 | 3 | $10^3$ |
4 | 4 | $10^4$ |
5 | 5 | $10^5$ |
6 | 6 | $10^6$ |
7 | 7 | $10^7$ |
8 | 8 | $10^8$ |
9 | 9 | $10^9$ |
R(Decimal Point) | R(Decimal Point) | - |
The tolerance of capacitors are marked by alphabets as follows.
Tolerance
Alphabet | Tolerance |
---|---|
C | ±0.25[pF] |
D | ±0.5[pF] |
F | ±1[%] |
G | ±2[%] |
J | ±5[%] |
K | ±10[%] |
M | ±20[%] |
Z | -20[%], +80[%] |
The rated voltage of the capacitors are marked by alphabets and numbers as follows.
Rated voltage(Alphabet and number)
Alphabet | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
A | 1 | 10 | 100 | 1000 |
B | 1.25 | 12.5 | 125 | 1250 |
C | 1.6 | 16 | 160 | 1600 |
D | 2 | 20 | 200 | 2000 |
E | 2.5 | 25 | 250 | 2500 |
F | 3.15 | 31.5 | 315 | 3150 |
G | 4 | 40 | 400 | 4000 |
H | 5 | 50 | 500 | 5000 |
J | 6.3 | 63 | 630 | 6300 |
K | 8 | 80 | 800 | 8000 |
For small size capacitors, only one letter of the alphabet is used, as shown below.
Rated Voltage(Alphabet only)
Alphabet | 0 |
---|---|
j | 6.3 |
A | 10 |
C | 16 |
E | 25 |
V | 35 |
H | 50 |
Simplified Capacitor Chart
Simplified Capacitor Chart
Example | Capacitance Value |
---|---|
106 | 10[uF] |
105 | 1[uF] |
104 | 0.1[uF] |
103 | 0.01[uF] |
102 | 1000[pF] |
101 | 100[pF] |
100 | 10[pF] (or 100[pF]) |
Since "104" (0.1uF) is often used, "104" is easy to remember as a standard.
Example:Ceramic Capacitor(Lead Type) etc.
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 224J 1H](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-02.jpg)
- 1st digit:2
- 2nd digit:2
- Multiplier:$10^4$
- Tolerance:±5[%](J)
- Rated Voltage:50[V](1H)
- Capacitance Value:$$22 \times 10^4[pF]=220000[pF]=0.22[uF]±5[\%]$$
Capacitance value, tolerance, and rated voltage are marked.
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 473K J](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-03.jpg)
- 1st digit:4
- 2nd digit:7
- Multiplier:$10^3$
- Tolerance:±10[%](K)
- Rated Voltage:63[V](J)
- Capacitance Value:$$47 \times 10^3[pF]=22000[pF]=0.047[uF]±10[\%]$$
The "1J" in the rated voltage marking is abbreviated to "J". Please be careful not to mistake this for "j", which is marked with a single letter of the alphabet only.
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 104](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-04.jpg)
- 1st digit:1
- 2nd digit:0
- Multiplier:$10^4$
- Capacitance Value:$$10 \times 10^4[pF]=100000[pF]=0.1[uF]$$
Depending on the type of capacitor, the tolerance and rated voltage may be omitted.
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 101](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-05.jpg)
- 1st digit:1
- 2nd digit:0
- Multiplier:$10^1$
- Capacitance Value:$$10 \times 10^1[pF]=100[pF]$$
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 100](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-06.jpg)
- 1st digit:1
- 2nd digit:0
- Multiplier:$10^0$
- Capacitance Value:$$10 \times 10^0[pF]=10[pF]$$
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 100](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-06.jpg)
- Capacitance Value:$$100[pF]$$
If the capacitance value is less than 100[pF], read the marked number as it is.Note that in the case of 100[pF], there are two patterns of marking: "101" and "100".
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 20](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-07.jpg)
- Capacitance Value:$$20[pF]$$
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type R33](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-08.jpg)
- Decimal Point:R
- 1st digit:3
- 2nd digit:3
- Capacitance Value:$$0.33[pF]$$
The "R" is marked as a decimal point.
![Ceramic Capacitor Lead Type 6R8](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-09.jpg)
- 1st digit:6
- Decimal Point:R
- 2nd digit:8
- Capacitance Value:$$6.8[pF]$$
The "R" is marked as a decimal point.
Example:Electrolytic Capacitor
![Electrolytic Capacitor 100uF 50V](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-10.jpg)
- Rated Voltage:50[V]
- Capacitance Value:$$100[uF]$$
Lead electrolytic capacitors are marked with the capacitance value and rated voltage as they are.
Since they are polarized, the longer lead wire is "+" and the capacitor body is marked with a white line so that the "-" can be recognized.
![Electrolytic Capacitor 47j](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-11.jpg)
- Rated Voltage:6.3[V]
- Capacitance Value:$$47[uF]$$
Chip electrolytic capacitors sometimes omit the unit of capacitance value or indicate the rated voltage with a single letter of the alphabet only.
Also, the capacitor body is marked with a "-" to indicate the polarity.
No marking
Chip capacitors are without marking as shown below due to their small size.
![Chip Capacitor No marking](https://spiceman.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/capacitor-value-12.jpg)
Once the model number of the chip capacitor is unknown, the only way to confirm it is to measure it with a capacitance meter or LCR meter.
Also, if the chip capacitors are examined up to their rated voltage, there is a possibility that too much voltage will be applied to them and destroy them.
Therefore, it may be better to discard chip capacitors whose model numbers are no longer known.