Capacitors in series and parallel calculator
Total capacitance of capacitors wired in series or in parallel.
Fill in the fields and the result will appear here automatically.
Find the equivalent capacitance of one ideal series or parallel group. All values are in microfarads. Capacitance alone does not determine a group's working voltage: series voltage sharing depends on charges, tolerances, leakage and balancing components.
How it works
Formula and logic
Parallel voltage is common and charges add: Q = U·ΣC, hence Ceq = ΣC. In a series group with equal charge magnitudes, voltages Q/C add: 1/Ceq = Σ(1/C). With at least two positive ratings, parallel capacitance exceeds the maximum and series capacitance is below the minimum; one component equals itself.
Example
100 µF and 220 µF give 320 µF in parallel. In series, C = 100·220/(100+220) = 68.75 µF. Two equal 100 µF capacitors give 200 µF or 50 µF respectively.
Fields and units
- Capacitances separated by spaces, µF — µF
- Connection — list option
How to use
- — Choose series or parallel connection.
- — Enter 1 to 256 positive capacitances in µF, within 16 384 characters.
- — Use a decimal point: 0.1 means 0.1 µF = 100 nF. A comma separates list items here, so 0,1 is not a decimal number.
- — Separate ratings with spaces, semicolons or newlines and compare the result with the extrema.
Method and limitations
- Calculation method
- Formula and logic
- Data or methodology source
- OpenStax: capacitor charge and voltage sums
- Limitation
- Ideal linear capacitance. Polarity, voltage rating, ESR, leakage and balancing requirements are not checked.
FAQ
Why are these formulas opposite to resistor formulas?
Parallel capacitors add charge at the same potential difference. Series capacitors add voltages at the same charge magnitude. Q = C·U then gives a sum of C or a sum of 1/C.
How do I enter nanofarads and decimal values?
Convert to µF: 100 nF = 0.1 µF and 1 nF = 0.001 µF. This list requires a decimal point; commas separate ratings. Do not enter µF or nF suffixes.
Can I add voltage ratings in series?
Not automatically. At equal charge, a smaller capacitance receives a larger voltage; real leakage and initial charge also matter. A pack's working voltage requires a separate analysis and component specifications.
What about one capacitor or a mixed network?
A single positive rating gives the same capacitance. In a mixed network, reduce only known series or parallel subgroups. A single list cannot describe arbitrary connections.