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Capacitor Code Calculator: 104, 103, 473 & pF/nF/µF
Decode three-digit capacitor markings and common tolerance letters, convert pF/nF/µF, and find an exact three-digit code from capacitance. Includes a common-code reference table.
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| Capacitance | 100 pF |
|---|---|
| Capacitance | 0.1 nF |
| Capacitance | 0.0001 µF |
Capacitance code: 101
No tolerance specified. Conversion does not add a tolerance or round to a code.
Uses three-digit picofarad codes with multiplier digits 0–7. Voltage, safety class, date and manufacturer-specific markings are not decoded.
Calculation formulas
Capacitance(pF) = first two digits × 10^last digit; 1 µF = 1000 nF = 1,000,000 pF.
What does 104 mean?
104 means 10 × 10⁴ pF: 100000 pF, 100 nF or 0.1 µF. Code 103 is 10 nF; 473 is 47 nF. The reference unit is pF, unlike resistor codes that use ohms.
What do J, K, M and Z mean?
In the tolerance scheme used here, J is ±5%, K ±10%, M ±20%, and Z −20%/+80%; F and G are ±1% and ±2%. For example, 104K spans 90–110 nF. No tolerance is assumed when a suffix is absent.
Why do some values have no exact reverse code?
This three-digit format has only two significant digits, and this page supports multiplier digits 0–7. A value of 100 nF can be encoded as 104; 123 nF cannot be represented exactly. The tool does not silently round capacitance to generate a code.
Does the code identify a replacement part?
No. Equal capacitance can have different dielectric, voltage rating, package and temperature behavior. X2 and Y2 safety classes are not capacitance codes. This result decodes only capacitance and supported tolerances; confirm the complete marking and datasheet.