What does 104 mean on a capacitor?
104 is 10 followed by four zeros in picofarads: 100,000 pF, so the 104 capacitor value is 100 nF or 0.1 µF. It is a common decoupling value next to IC supply pins.
FREE TOOL
Capacitor code calculator
Type the code printed on a ceramic or film capacitor, such as 104, 473J or 2A104K, into this capacitor code calculator to get pF, nF and µF with its tolerance and rated voltage. Or type a value and get the 3-digit code, the R notation and the letter code.
Mode
3-digit code with an optional tolerance letter and voltage (104K, 2A473J, 102M 1kV), R notation (2R2) or a letter code (4n7).
Capacitance
100 nF
3-digit code: two significant digits and a multiplier, in pF
- Picofarads
- 100,000 pF
- Nanofarads
- 100 nF
- Microfarads
- 0.1 µF
- Tolerance (K)
- ±10 %
- Allowed range
- 90 nF to 110 nF
The same digits on an SMD resistor mean ohms: 104 would be 100 kΩ.
How do you read a 104 capacitor code?
The first two digits are the value and the third is the number of zeros, in picofarads. 104 is 10 followed by four zeros: 100,000 pF = 100 nF = 0.1 µF. A letter after the digits is the tolerance (K = ±10 %, J = ±5 %), and a digit-letter pair such as 2A is the rated voltage code (2A = 100 V).
Capacitor markings: how to read capacitor values
Small capacitors have no room for “0.01 µF”, so they carry a code. IEC 60062 defines the 3-digit picofarad code and the letter code; the 8 and 9 multipliers, R notation and the voltage code below are taken from manufacturers’ part numbering guides (KEMET, Murata, Vishay, Nichicon).
C = d1d2 × 10^d3 pF
- d1 d2
- the first two digits, read as a two-digit number (10 to 99)
- d3
- the multiplier digit: 0 to 7 is the number of zeros, 8 means ×0.01, 9 means ×0.1
- C
- capacitance in picofarads (pF)
So 472 = 47 × 10² = 4700 pF = 4.7 nF, and 225 = 22 × 10⁵ pF = 2.2 µF. The 8 and 9 multipliers cover values under 10 pF (229 = 2.2 pF); many makers write those values with R as the decimal point instead (2R2), and Vishay disc capacitors use P (2P2). The letter code puts the unit letter where the decimal point goes: 4p7, 4n7, 4µ7, and n33 for 0.33 nF.
Tolerance and voltage after the value
A single letter after the value is the tolerance. A digit followed by a letter, before or after the value, is the rated voltage code: the digit is the decade (0 = units, 1 = tens, 2 = hundreds, 3 = thousands) and the letter the value within it, so 1H = 50 V, 2A = 100 V and 2J = 630 V. Disc capacitors often print the rating in clear text instead, as in 102M 1kV (1 nF, ±20 %, 1 kV). Both tables are below.
Worked examples
Example 1: a ceramic disc marked 104K
10 followed by four zeros is 100,000 pF, which is 100 nF or 0.1 µF. K is ±10 %, so the real value may be anywhere from 90 nF to 110 nF.
Example 2: a film capacitor marked 2A473J
2A is the voltage code for 100 V. 473 is 47 × 10³ pF = 47 nF (0.047 µF), and J is ±5 %, a range of 44.65 nF to 49.35 nF.
Example 3: 229 and 2R2 are the same part
In 229 the last digit 9 means ×0.1, so 22 × 0.1 = 2.2 pF. Written with R as the decimal point, the same value is 2R2 = 2.2 pF. Both appear in real part numbers: KEMET uses the 9 multiplier, Murata and Vishay use R. Tantalum part numbers are different: there a final 8 is a plain number of zeros, so KEMET's T510X108K004ATE030 is 1000 µF.
Example 4: the code for 4.7 nF
4.7 nF = 4700 pF = 47 × 10², so the 3-digit code is 472. The letter code is 4n7. With ±10 % tolerance it is marked 472K.
Capacitor code chart
Every E12 value from 10 pF to 1 µF, then the E6 values up to 100 µF. Codes are computed from the rule above.
| Code | Picofarads | Nanofarads | Microfarads |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 10 pF | 0.01 nF | 0.00001 µF |
| 120 | 12 pF | 0.012 nF | 0.000012 µF |
| 150 | 15 pF | 0.015 nF | 0.000015 µF |
| 180 | 18 pF | 0.018 nF | 0.000018 µF |
| 220 | 22 pF | 0.022 nF | 0.000022 µF |
| 270 | 27 pF | 0.027 nF | 0.000027 µF |
| 330 | 33 pF | 0.033 nF | 0.000033 µF |
| 390 | 39 pF | 0.039 nF | 0.000039 µF |
| 470 | 47 pF | 0.047 nF | 0.000047 µF |
| 560 | 56 pF | 0.056 nF | 0.000056 µF |
| 680 | 68 pF | 0.068 nF | 0.000068 µF |
| 820 | 82 pF | 0.082 nF | 0.000082 µF |
| 101 | 100 pF | 0.1 nF | 0.0001 µF |
| 121 | 120 pF | 0.12 nF | 0.00012 µF |
| 151 | 150 pF | 0.15 nF | 0.00015 µF |
| 181 | 180 pF | 0.18 nF | 0.00018 µF |
| 221 | 220 pF | 0.22 nF | 0.00022 µF |
| 271 | 270 pF | 0.27 nF | 0.00027 µF |
| 331 | 330 pF | 0.33 nF | 0.00033 µF |
| 391 | 390 pF | 0.39 nF | 0.00039 µF |
| 471 | 470 pF | 0.47 nF | 0.00047 µF |
| 561 | 560 pF | 0.56 nF | 0.00056 µF |
| 681 | 680 pF | 0.68 nF | 0.00068 µF |
| 821 | 820 pF | 0.82 nF | 0.00082 µF |
| 102 | 1000 pF | 1 nF | 0.001 µF |
| 122 | 1200 pF | 1.2 nF | 0.0012 µF |
| 152 | 1500 pF | 1.5 nF | 0.0015 µF |
| 182 | 1800 pF | 1.8 nF | 0.0018 µF |
| 222 | 2200 pF | 2.2 nF | 0.0022 µF |
| 272 | 2700 pF | 2.7 nF | 0.0027 µF |
| 332 | 3300 pF | 3.3 nF | 0.0033 µF |
| 392 | 3900 pF | 3.9 nF | 0.0039 µF |
| 472 | 4700 pF | 4.7 nF | 0.0047 µF |
| 562 | 5600 pF | 5.6 nF | 0.0056 µF |
| 682 | 6800 pF | 6.8 nF | 0.0068 µF |
| 822 | 8200 pF | 8.2 nF | 0.0082 µF |
| 103 | 10,000 pF | 10 nF | 0.01 µF |
| 123 | 12,000 pF | 12 nF | 0.012 µF |
| 153 | 15,000 pF | 15 nF | 0.015 µF |
| 183 | 18,000 pF | 18 nF | 0.018 µF |
| 223 | 22,000 pF | 22 nF | 0.022 µF |
| 273 | 27,000 pF | 27 nF | 0.027 µF |
| 333 | 33,000 pF | 33 nF | 0.033 µF |
| 393 | 39,000 pF | 39 nF | 0.039 µF |
| 473 | 47,000 pF | 47 nF | 0.047 µF |
| 563 | 56,000 pF | 56 nF | 0.056 µF |
| 683 | 68,000 pF | 68 nF | 0.068 µF |
| 823 | 82,000 pF | 82 nF | 0.082 µF |
| 104 | 100,000 pF | 100 nF | 0.1 µF |
| 124 | 120,000 pF | 120 nF | 0.12 µF |
| 154 | 150,000 pF | 150 nF | 0.15 µF |
| 184 | 180,000 pF | 180 nF | 0.18 µF |
| 224 | 220,000 pF | 220 nF | 0.22 µF |
| 274 | 270,000 pF | 270 nF | 0.27 µF |
| 334 | 330,000 pF | 330 nF | 0.33 µF |
| 394 | 390,000 pF | 390 nF | 0.39 µF |
| 474 | 470,000 pF | 470 nF | 0.47 µF |
| 564 | 560,000 pF | 560 nF | 0.56 µF |
| 684 | 680,000 pF | 680 nF | 0.68 µF |
| 824 | 820,000 pF | 820 nF | 0.82 µF |
| 105 | 1,000,000 pF | 1000 nF | 1 µF |
| 155 | 1,500,000 pF | 1500 nF | 1.5 µF |
| 225 | 2,200,000 pF | 2200 nF | 2.2 µF |
| 335 | 3,300,000 pF | 3300 nF | 3.3 µF |
| 475 | 4,700,000 pF | 4700 nF | 4.7 µF |
| 685 | 6,800,000 pF | 6800 nF | 6.8 µF |
| 106 | 10,000,000 pF | 10,000 nF | 10 µF |
| 156 | 15,000,000 pF | 15,000 nF | 15 µF |
| 226 | 22,000,000 pF | 22,000 nF | 22 µF |
| 336 | 33,000,000 pF | 33,000 nF | 33 µF |
| 476 | 47,000,000 pF | 47,000 nF | 47 µF |
| 686 | 68,000,000 pF | 68,000 nF | 68 µF |
| 107 | 100,000,000 pF | 100,000 nF | 100 µF |
Tolerance letters and capacitor voltage code chart
B, C, V and W are absolute tolerances in pF. D is ±0.5 pF below 10 pF and ±0.5 % from 10 pF up (Murata). “Not listed” means no table cited here gives the letter a meaning in that range.
| Letter | Below 10 pF | 10 pF and up | Listed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | ±0.05 pF | not listed | Murata |
| V | ±0.05 pF | not listed | Vishay |
| B | ±0.1 pF | ±0.1 pF | Murata, Vishay |
| C | ±0.25 pF | ±0.25 pF | Murata, Vishay |
| D | ±0.5 pF | ±0.5 % | Murata, Vishay |
| F | ±1 % | ±1 % | Murata, Vishay |
| G | ±2 % | ±2 % | Murata, Vishay |
| J | ±5 % | ±5 % | Murata, Vishay |
| K | ±10 % | ±10 % | Murata, Vishay, Nichicon |
| M | ±20 % | ±20 % | Murata, Vishay, Nichicon |
| Q | not listed | +30 % / −10 % | Nichicon |
| T | not listed | +50 % / −10 % | Nichicon |
| Y | not listed | +50 % / −20 % | Vishay |
| Z | not listed | +80 % / −20 % | Vishay |
| P | not listed | +100 % / −0 % | Vishay |
Rated voltage codes
| Code | Rated voltage (DC) | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| 0D | 2 V | Murata |
| 0E | 2.5 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 0G | 4 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 0L | 5.5 V | Nichicon |
| 0J | 6.3 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 1A | 10 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 1C | 16 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 1D | 20 V | Nichicon |
| 1E | 25 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 1V | 35 V | Nichicon |
| YA | 35 V | Murata |
| 1H | 50 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 1J | 63 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 1K | 80 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 2A | 100 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 2Q | 110 V | Nichicon |
| 2B | 125 V | Nichicon |
| 2C | 160 V | Nichicon |
| 2Z | 180 V | Nichicon |
| 2D | 200 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 2P | 220 V | Nichicon |
| 2E | 250 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 2F | 315 V | Nichicon |
| 2V | 350 V | Nichicon |
| 2G | 400 V | Nichicon |
| 2W | 450 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 2H | 500 V | Murata, Nichicon |
| 2L | 550 V | Nichicon |
| 2X | 600 V | Nichicon |
| 2J | 630 V | Murata |
| 3A | 1 kV | Murata |
| 3B | 1.25 kV | Murata |
| 3D | 2 kV | Murata |
| 3F | 3.15 kV | Murata |
Reading real parts
Most small SMD ceramic capacitors carry no marking at all; read the reel label or measure them. Some carry a two-character letter-and-digit code that this tool does not decode. Aluminum electrolytics print the value in µF on the sleeve, but their part numbers use the same three characters in µF (221 = 220 µF), so a code copied from a part number can be off by a factor of a million. The voltage letter table above matches Murata and Nichicon; other makers may differ, so check the datasheet before trusting an unusual code. Finally, the tolerance applies with no DC bias: Vishay rates the DC voltage dependence of class 2 ceramics (X7R, Y5V and similar) as medium to high, so a 100 nF X7R part can measure well below 100 nF at its working voltage.
Glossary
- 3-digit code
- Two significant digits and a multiplier digit giving the capacitance in pF: 472 = 4700 pF.
- Letter code
- A value where p, n or µ replaces the decimal point and sets the unit: 4n7 = 4.7 nF. Also called the RKM code.
- R notation
- R used as a decimal point in pF, mainly for values under 10 pF: 2R2 = 2.2 pF.
- Tolerance letter
- One letter after the value giving how far the real capacitance may be from nominal: K = ±10 %.
- Rated voltage
- The highest DC voltage the capacitor is specified to hold continuously. Coded as 2A = 100 V in many part numbers.
- Class 2 ceramic
- X7R, X5R and Y5V type dielectrics: high capacitance per volume, but the value moves with DC bias, temperature and age.
Related guides
- Capacitance converter: convert between pF, nF and µF with the code for each value.
- Resistor color code calculator: the same 3-digit rule for SMD resistors, in ohms.
- Capacitive reactance calculator: what that capacitance does at your frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 103 capacitor value?
103 is 10 followed by three zeros: 10,000 pF = 10 nF = 0.01 µF.
What is the 105 capacitor value?
105 is 10 followed by five zeros: 1,000,000 pF = 1000 nF = 1 µF.
What does the letter after the number mean, like 104K or 473J?
It is the capacitance tolerance: F = ±1 %, G = ±2 %, J = ±5 %, K = ±10 %, M = ±20 % and Z = +80 % / −20 %. B, C and D are absolute: ±0.1 pF, ±0.25 pF and ±0.5 pF. From 10 pF up, Murata makes D ±0.5 % instead.
What does 2A mean on a capacitor?
In the two-character voltage code used by Murata and Nichicon, 2A is 100 V DC: the digit is the decade and the letter the value. 1H is 50 V, 1E is 25 V, 1C is 16 V, 2E is 250 V and 2J is 630 V. Other makers may use their own table, so check the datasheet for unusual letters.
How do I read a capacitor code like 4n7 or 2R2?
The letter replaces the decimal point. In 4n7 it also gives the unit, so 4n7 = 4.7 nF; n33 = 330 pF and 3µ3 = 3.3 µF. R is just a decimal point in pF: 2R2 = 2.2 pF and R50 = 0.5 pF.
What does 229 mean on a capacitor?
2.2 pF. A last digit of 9 means ×0.1 and 8 means ×0.01, so values under 10 pF can still use three digits (KEMET writes 2.2 pF as 229 and 0.5 pF as 508). Other makers write the same parts as 2R2 and R50.
Is 104 on a resistor the same as on a capacitor?
The rule is the same but the unit is ohms: an SMD resistor marked 104 is 100 kΩ, not 100 nF. Check whether the part is a resistor or a capacitor before reading the code.
Why does my electrolytic capacitor part number contain 221?
Aluminum electrolytic part numbers (Nichicon, for example) use the same three characters in microfarads: 221 is 220 µF, not 220 pF. The capacitor body itself is usually printed with the value in µF.
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Sources
- Vishay 23140, Ceramic disc capacitors general information: capacitance code system (IEC 60062), tolerance letters, clear-text voltage marking
- Vishay 22001, Ceramic capacitors general information: letter code (n33, 3n3, µ33) and DC voltage dependence
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- KEMET ceramic chip capacitor datasheet, ordering information: the 9 and 8 multipliers (copy hosted by CERN)
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