Capacitor Series and Parallel Calculator
Capacitors add up differently from resistors. Side by side, their capacitances add. End to end, the total is smaller than the smallest one. This shows both totals for up to three capacitors.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
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- Updated
How it works
In parallel, the total capacitance is the sum of the values. In series, the total is one divided by the sum of one divided by each value, which always comes out below the smallest value.
Enter every value in the same unit, such as microfarads. The totals come out in that same unit.
Worked example
Capacitors of 10, 22 and 47 microfarads give 6 in series, or 79 in parallel.
Questions
Does wiring in series change the voltage rating?
In practice, yes. Capacitors in series share the voltage, so check each one's rating against the circuit. This calculator does not check voltage ratings.
Why is the series total always smaller?
Each capacitor adds its own reciprocal to the total, so the total can never be larger than the smallest capacitor.
Can I use more than three?
This version handles three. For more, combine two at a time, and use each pair's total as the next value.
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