Capacitor values are printed in microfarads, nanofarads or picofarads, and electronics catalogues switch between them freely. A 104 ceramic capacitor, for example, is 100,000 pF = 100 nF = 0.1 µF.
How to use the Capacitance Converter
- Pick the unit you are starting from in the From menu and type your value.
- Pick the unit you want in the To menu. The heading changes to match – for example “Microfarads to Farads Converter”.
- The most common capacitance units are shown below at the same time, so you can compare them at a glance.
- Type into any result to convert backwards, then use Copy results – the copied text starts with the heading for your chosen units.
Results update as you type. Everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Every capacitance unit is defined by an exact factor relative to the farad (the base unit). The calculator first turns the value you type into farads, then turns that into the unit you picked in the “To” menu and into each of the common units below it. This two-step method means any unit can be converted to any other – 5 units are available in each menu – and you can type into any field, including a result, to work in the other direction. Changing a unit menu keeps the quantity the same and just re-expresses it, and the page heading and copied results follow your choice.
How to convert capacitance units
- Choose the unit you have in the From menu and type the value, for example 1 µF.
- Choose the unit you want in the To menu, for example farads. The page heading changes to “Microfarads to Farads Converter”.
- The calculator multiplies by the farad factor of the “from” unit and divides by the factor of the “to” unit: 1 µF × 1 × 10-6 ÷ 1 = 1 × 10-6 F.
1 microfarad in common units
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Farads (F) | 1 × 10-6 |
| Millifarads (mF) | 0.001 |
| Nanofarads (nF) | 1000 |
| Picofarads (pF) | 1,000,000 |
Microfarads conversion table
| Microfarads | F | mF | nF | pF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.001 | 1 × 10-9 | 1 × 10-6 | 1 | 1,000 |
| 0.01 | 1 × 10-8 | 1 × 10-5 | 10 | 10,000 |
| 0.1 | 1 × 10-7 | 1 × 10-4 | 100 | 100,000 |
| 1 | 1 × 10-6 | 0.001 | 1000 | 1,000,000 |
| 10 | 1 × 10-5 | 0.01 | 10,000 | 10,000,000 |
| 100 | 1 × 10-4 | 0.1 | 100,000 | 100,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 0.001 | 1 | 1,000,000 | 1 × 109 |
Formula
1 µF = 1 × 10^-6 F1 µF = 0.001 mF1 µF = 1000 nF1 µF = 1,000,000 pFWorked example
Inputs — From: 1 µF.
Results — To = 0.000001 F; Millifarads = 0.001 mF; Nanofarads = 1,000 nF; Picofarads = 1,000,000 pF.
Frequently asked questions
How many nF in a µF?
1,000 nF.
What does the code 104 on a capacitor mean?
10 followed by 4 zeros picofarads: 100,000 pF = 0.1 µF.
Is mF millifarad or microfarad?
Strictly, mF is millifarad; old U.S. parts sometimes used “mF” or “MFD” for microfarad, so check the context.
How do I change the units?
Pick any unit in the From and To menus. The value is converted in place, and the heading changes to show your conversion, for example “Microfarads to Farads Converter”.
Can I type into any field?
Yes. Every field is editable, so you can start from whichever unit you have.
How many units can I convert between?
5 capacitance units, from the everyday to the specialised.
Which units are exact?
All factors here are exact by definition except astronomical and similar reference values, which use internationally agreed constants.
What formula does the Capacitance Converter use?
1 µF = 1 × 10^-6 F.