Unlike resistors, capacitors use a wide variety of codes to describe their characteristics. Physically small capacitors are especially difficult to read, due to the limited space available for printing. The information in this article should help you read almost all modern consumer capacitors. Don't be surprised if your information is printed in a different order than the one described here, or if voltage and tolerance info is missing from your capacitor. For many low-voltage DIY circuits, the only information you need is the capacitance.
Know the Units of Measurement
The base unit of capacitance is the farad (F). This value is much too large for ordinary circuits, so household capacitors are labeled with one of the following units:
• 1 uF, uF, or mF = 1 microfarad = 10-6 farads. (Careful - in other contexts, mF is the official abbreviation for millifarads, or 10-3 farads.)
• 1 nF = 1 nanofarad = 10-9 farads.
•1 pF, mmF, or uuF = 1 picofarad = 1 micromicrofarad = 10-12 farads.
Read the Capacitance Value
Most large capacitors have a capacitance value written on the side. Slight variations are common, so look for the value that most closely matches the units above. You may need to adjust for the following:
• Ignore capital letters in the units. For example, "MF" is just a variation on "mf." (It is definitely not a megafarad, even though this is the official SI abbreviation.)
• Don't get thrown by "fd." This is just another abbreviation for farad. For example, "mmfd" is the same as "mmf."
• Beware single-letter markings such as "475m," usually found on smaller capacitors. See below for instructions.
Look for a Tolerance Value
Some capacitors list a tolerance, or the maximum expected range in capacitance compared to its listed value. This isn't important in all circuits, but you may need to pay attention to this if you require a precise capacitor value. For example, a capacitor labeled "6000uF +50%/-70%" could actually have a capacitance as high as 6000uF + (6000 * 0.5) = 9000uF, or as low as 6000 uF - (6000uF * 0.7) = 1800uF.
If there is no percentage listed, look for a single letter after the capacitance value or on its own line. This may be code for a tolerance value, described below.
Check the Voltage Rating.
If there is room on the body of the capacitor, the manufacturer usually lists voltage as a number followed by a V, VDC, VDCW, or WV (for "Working Voltage"). This is the maximum voltage the capacitor is designed to handle.
• 1 kV = 1,000 volts.
• See below if you suspect your capacitor uses a code for voltage (a single letter or one digit and one letter). If there is no symbol at all, reserve the cap for low-voltage circuits only.
• If you are building an AC circuit, look for a capacitor rated specifically for VAC. Do not use a DC capacitor unless you have an in-depth knowledge of how to convert the voltage rating, and how to use that type of capacitor safely in AC applications.
Look for a + or - Sign
If you see one of these next to a terminal, the capacitor is polarized. Make sure to connect the capacitor's + end to the positive side of the circuit, or the capacitor could eventually cause a short or even explode. If there is no + or -, you can orient the capacitor either way.
Some capacitors use a colored bar or a ring-shaped depression to show polarity. Traditionally, this mark designates the - end on an aluminum electrolytic capacitor (which are usually shaped like tin cans). On tantalum electrolytic capacitors (which are very small), this mark designates the + end. (Disregard the bar if it contradicts a + or - sign, or if it is on a non-electrolytic capacitor.)
Write Down the First Two Digits of the Capacitance
Older capacitors are less predictable, but almost all modern examples use the EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) standard code when the capacitor is too small to write out the capacitance in full. To start, write down the first two digits, then decide what to do next based on your code:
• If your code starts with exactly two digits followed by a letter (e.g. 44M), the first two digits are the full capacitance code. Skip down to finding units.
• If one of the first two characters is a letter, skip down to letter systems.
• If the first three characters are all numbers, continue to the next step.
Use the Third Digit as a Zero Multiplier
The three-digit capacitance code works as follows:
If the third digit is 0 through 6, add that many zeroes to the end of the number. (For example, 453 = 45 x 103 = 45,000.)
If the third digit is 8, multiply by 0.01. (e.g. 278 = 27 x 0.01 = 0.27)
If the third digit is 9, multiply by 0.1. (e.g. 309 = 30 x 0.1 = 3.0)
Work Out the Capacitance Units From Context
The smallest capacitors (made from ceramic, film, or tantalum) use units of picofarads (pF), equal to 10-12 farads. Larger capacitors (the cylindrical aluminum electrolyte type or the double-layer type) use units of microfarads (uF or uF), equal to 10-6 farads.
A capacitor may overrule this by adding a unit after it (p for picofarad, n for nanofarad, or u for microfarad). However, if there is only one letter after the code, this is usually the tolerance code, not the unit. (P and N are uncommon tolerance codes, but they do exist.)
Read Codes That Contain Letters Instead.
If your code includes a letter as one of the first two characters, there are three possibilities:
If the letter is an R, replace it with a decimal point to get the capacitance in pF. For example, 4R1 means a capacitance of 4.1pF.
If the letter is p, n, or u, this tells you the units (pico-, nano-, or microfarad). Replace this letter with a decimal point. For example, n61 means 0.61 nF, and 5u2 means 5.2 uF.
A code like "1A253" is actually two codes. 1A tells you the voltage, and 253 tells you the capacitance as described above.
Read the Tolerance Code on Ceramic Capacitors
Ceramic capacitors, which are usually tiny "pancakes" with two pins, typically list the tolerance value as one letter immediately after the three-digit capacitance value. This letter represents the tolerance of the capacitor, meaning how close the actual value of the capacitor can be expected to be to the indicated value of the capacitor. If precision is important in your circuit, translate this code as follows:
B = ± 0.1 pF.
C = ± 0.25 pF.
D = ± 0.5 pF for capacitors rated below 10 pF, or ± 0.5% for capacitors above 10 pF.
F = ± 1 pF or ± 1% (same system as D above).
G = ± 2 pF or ± 2% (see above).
J = ± 5%.
K = ± 10%.
M = ± 20%.
Z = +80% / -20% (If you see no tolerance listed, assume this as the worst case scenario.)
Read Letter-Number-Letter Tolerance Values
Many types of capacitors represent the tolerance with a more detailed three-symbol system. Interpret this as follows:
The first symbol shows minimum temperature. Z = 10oC, Y = -30oC, X = -55oC.
The second symbol shows maximum temperature. 2 = 45oC, 4 = 65oC, 5 = 85oC, 6 = 105oC, 7 = 125oC.
The third symbol shows variation in capacitance across this temperature range. This ranges from the most precise, A = ±1.0%, to the least precise, V = +22.0%/-82%. R, one of the most common symbols, represents a variation of ±15%.
Interpret Voltage Codes
You can look up the EIA voltage chart for a full list, but most capacitors use one of the following common codes for maximum voltage (values given for DC capacitors only):
0J = 6.3V
1A = 10V
1C = 16V
1E = 25V
1H = 50V
2A = 100V
2D = 200V
2E = 250V
One letter codes are abbreviations of one of the common values above. If multiple values could apply (such as 1A or 2A), you'll need to work it out from context.
For an estimate of other, less common codes, look at the first digit. 0 covers values less than ten; 1 goes from ten to 99; 2 goes from 100 to 999; and so on.
Look Up Other Systems
Old capacitors or capacitors made for specialist use may use different systems. These are not included in this article, but you can use this hints to guide your further research:
If the capacitor has one long code beginning with "CM" or "DM," look up the U.S. military capacitor chart.
If there is no code but a series of colored bands or dots, look up the capacitor color code.
WARNING! Be very careful when handling large capacitors, which can hold a lethal amount of energy when charged. Always make sure to discharge them first by using an appropriate resistor. Never short circuit them, as this could cause an explosion.
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