SMD Capacitor Value Finder
The nearest standard capacitor value and its 3-digit code for any target.
Enter the value you calculated — get the closest real ceramic part. Code = two figures + number of zeros (pF).
Standard capacitor values and the 3-digit code
Ceramic capacitors come in the same E-series geometric steps as resistors, repeated every decade. A datasheet or BOM packs the value into three characters — two significant figures and a power-of-ten multiplier, in picofarads:
So 104 is 10 × 10⁴ = 100 000 pF = 100 nF, and 472 is 47 × 10² = 4 700 pF = 4.7 nF. Values below 10 pF use an R for the decimal point (4R7 = 4.7 pF). Adjacent E-series values overlap within their tolerance, so the nearest standard part shown above — with its error — is almost always close enough; otherwise put two in parallel to add their values and hit an exact target.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a 3-digit capacitor code?
The first two digits are significant figures and the third is the number of zeros, giving the value in picofarads. So 104 = 10 followed by four zeros = 100,000 pF = 100 nF, and 472 = 47 × 10² = 4,700 pF = 4.7 nF. Values under 10 pF use an R for the decimal point, e.g. 4R7 = 4.7 pF.
What is the capacitor code for 100 nF?
100 nF is 100,000 pF, written 104 (10 with four zeros). It's the classic decoupling capacitor — 0.1 µF, 100 nF and the code 104 all mean exactly the same part.
What are the standard capacitor values?
Ceramic capacitors follow the E-series, repeated every decade: E3 is 1.0, 2.2, 4.7; E6 adds 1.5, 3.3, 6.8; E12 adds 1.2, 1.8, 2.7, 3.9, 5.6, 8.2. That's why you can buy 10 nF and 22 nF but not 25 nF.
How do I find the nearest standard capacitor?
Take your calculated value and round it to the closest E-series value — this tool shows the resulting error and the next lower/higher parts. For a tighter match pick a finer series (E12 or E24), or place two capacitors in parallel to add their values.