Capacitance Conversion – Convert Between Farads, Microfarads, Nanofarads, and Picofarads

Capacitance is one of the most fundamental properties in electronics, representing a component’s ability to store electrical charge. Engineers, technicians, students, and electronics hobbyists regularly encounter various units of capacitance, such as farads (F), microfarads (μF), nanofarads (nF), and picofarads (pF). The Capacitance Conversion Calculator simplifies the process of converting between these units quickly and accurately, eliminating the potential for misinterpretation or calculation errors in circuit design and troubleshooting.

What Is Capacitance?

Capacitance is the measure of a component’s ability to store electrical energy in an electric field. Capacitors are the components used to store this charge. Capacitance is denoted by the letter ‘C’ and its unit of measurement is the farad (F), named after the English physicist Michael Faraday.

1 Farad is a large unit, so practical electronics commonly use the following subunits:

• Microfarad (μF) – One millionth of a farad (10⁻⁶ F)
• Nanofarad (nF) – One billionth of a farad (10⁻⁹ F)
• Picofarad (pF) – One trillionth of a farad (10⁻¹² F)

Capacitance Unit Conversion Table

Use the table below as a quick reference to understand the relationships between the different capacitance units:

• 1 Farad (F) = 1,000,000 μF = 1,000,000,000 nF = 1,000,000,000,000 pF
• 1 μF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF
• 1 nF = 1,000 pF

Capacitance Conversion Formula

Capacitance conversions are straightforward and based on powers of ten. Here are the formulas to convert between units:

• F to μF: F × 1,000,000 = μF
• μF to nF: μF × 1,000 = nF
• nF to pF: nF × 1,000 = pF
• pF to nF: pF ÷ 1,000 = nF
• nF to μF: nF ÷ 1,000 = μF
• μF to F: μF ÷ 1,000,000 = F

How to Use the Capacitance Conversion Calculator

1. Enter the capacitance value you want to convert
2. Select the unit of the entered value (F, μF, nF, or pF)
3. The calculator instantly provides equivalent values in all other units

Example Conversions

Example 1: Convert 47 μF to nF and pF

• 47 μF × 1,000 = 47,000 nF
• 47 μF × 1,000,000 = 47,000,000 pF

Example 2: Convert 0.1 nF to pF and μF

• 0.1 nF × 1,000 = 100 pF
• 0.1 nF ÷ 1,000 = 0.0001 μF

Common Capacitance Values in Circuits

Capacitors are used in various applications such as timing circuits, filters, power supplies, and RF designs. Depending on the application, you’ll see common values in different units:

• 1 μF to 1000 μF: Used in power supply smoothing and decoupling
• 10 nF to 470 nF: Common in filter networks and coupling capacitors
• 1 pF to 100 pF: Frequently used in high-frequency RF and oscillator circuits

Capacitor Marking Codes and Unit Conversion

Capacitors often have codes printed on them rather than direct unit values. For example:

• 104 = 10 × 10⁴ = 100,000 pF = 100 nF
• 473 = 47 × 10³ = 47,000 pF = 47 nF

Knowing how to convert between these units is essential to correctly identify and replace components.

Practical Applications of Capacitance Conversion

1. Component Substitution

When replacing a capacitor, you may need to find an equivalent value in a different unit. For example, if the datasheet says 0.47 μF but you only have 470 nF in stock, you can convert and match the values.

2. PCB Design and BOM Preparation

Design software may accept only specific units. If your schematic tool uses nF but your datasheets list μF, a quick conversion is necessary.

3. Academic and Certification Exams

Electronics exams often test your understanding of unit conversions. Having a clear mental map of capacitance conversions gives you an edge.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes

• Always double-check unit prefixes: μF (micro), nF (nano), pF (pico)
• Remember that 1 μF ≠ 1 nF – a common beginner error
• When in doubt, use scientific notation to clarify (e.g., 47 × 10⁻⁶ F = 47 μF)

Unit Prefixes Reference

• 1 F = 10⁰ Farads
• 1 mF = 10⁻³ Farads
• 1 μF = 10⁻⁶ Farads
• 1 nF = 10⁻⁹ Farads
• 1 pF = 10⁻¹² Farads

Capacitance Conversion in Datasheets

Many datasheets provide capacitor values in formats such as 0.1 μF or 100 nF interchangeably. Being able to interpret both is key to proper component selection.

Also, watch out for regional notation differences:

• European datasheets may use ‘n’ in place of decimal points: e.g., 4n7 = 4.7 nF
• Older or informal documents may mix units freely (e.g., 100000 pF instead of 100 nF)

Why Capacitance Conversion Matters

• Ensures accuracy in component substitution and design
• Improves communication between engineers and vendors
• Prevents costly errors in high-frequency or analog circuits

Real-World Use Cases

Case 1: Replacing a Capacitor in a Power Supply

You find a damaged 100 μF capacitor and your supplier only lists 0.0001 F. A quick conversion tells you both are the same value.

Case 2: Reading a Capacitor Code

A capacitor labeled “223” means 22 × 10³ = 22,000 pF, which is equal to 22 nF. If your circuit diagram says 0.022 μF, you can confidently use it.

Converting Capacitance with Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is especially useful when dealing with very large or very small numbers in electrical engineering:

• 1 μF = 1 × 10⁻⁶ F
• 47 nF = 47 × 10⁻⁹ F
• 470 pF = 470 × 10⁻¹² F

This approach also makes calculations easier when using spreadsheets or programmable calculators.

Capacitance Conversion Chart

Here's a reference chart for converting common capacitor values:

• 0.1 μF = 100 nF = 100,000 pF
• 0.047 μF = 47 nF = 47,000 pF
• 0.01 μF = 10 nF = 10,000 pF
• 1 μF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF

Helpful Mnemonics

To remember the order of capacitance units:

• F > mF > μF > nF > pF
• Mnemonic: “Fat Men Use New Pants” (Farads, Millifarads, Microfarads, Nanofarads, Picofarads)

Conclusion

Capacitance conversion is an essential skill in electronics, from hobbyist prototyping to professional circuit design. Our Capacitance Conversion Calculator removes the guesswork, speeds up workflow, and reduces errors. Whether you’re interpreting a capacitor’s label, replacing a part, or building a Bill of Materials, the ability to quickly and accurately convert between farads, microfarads, nanofarads, and picofarads is invaluable.

Use this guide as a reference and the calculator as your everyday companion for all capacitance-related work.

Try the Capacitance Conversion Calculator Now

Input any capacitance value in F, μF, nF, or pF, and instantly get the converted values across all units. Save time and ensure accuracy in your next electronics project.