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Capacitance Converter

IEC 60062 104 is 100 nF (0.1 µF).

By Jasper · Updated

Calculator

PASS100 nFcode 104

IEC 60062 3-digit codes in pF. Third digit 8 → ×0.01, 9 → ×0.1. R is the decimal point (1R5 = 1.5 pF).

Code
104
pF
100000 pF
nF
100 nF
µF
0.1 µF
mF
0.0001 mF
F
1e-7 F
  • Pass Capacitance: 100000 pF = 100.000 nF = 0.100000 µF

Formula

3-digit code (pF)

C=(d1d2)×10m C(pF) = (d1 d2) × 10^m (m = 8 → ×0.01, m = 9 → ×0.1)

Variables

Symbol Meaning Unit Typical range Precision Default
code Marking — — 4 sig 104
C Capacitance (optional, instead of code) F — 4 sig
pF Picofarads pF — 4 dp —
nF Nanofarads nF — 4 dp —
µF Microfarads µF — 4 dp —
mF Millifarads mF — 4 dp —

Worked example

Code 104 = 100 nF

Input Value
code · Marking 104
Output Value
pF · Picofarads 100000 pF
nF · Nanofarads 100 nF
µF · Microfarads 0.1 µF
mF · Millifarads 0.0001 mF

1R5 = 1.5 pF

Input Value
code · Marking 1R5
Output Value
pF · Picofarads 1.5 pF

109 = 1.0 pF

Input Value
code · Marking 109
Output Value
pF · Picofarads 1 pF

100 nF encodes as 104

Input Value
C · Capacitance (optional, instead of code) 100 nF
Output Value
code · Marking 104
nF · Nanofarads 100 nF

How it works

Ceramic capacitors print a three-digit code that looks like a resistor code but is always in picofarads. 104 is the 100 nF decoupler on almost every board; 109 is a 1 pF trick that catches people out.

Decode a marking or encode a farad value. The SI columns keep pF, nF, µF, mF and F in view so a SPICE netlist and a BOM stay consistent.

Pitfalls

  • Reading a capacitor 104 as 104 pF. It is 10 × 10⁴ pF = 100 nF.
  • Third digits 6 and 7 are not defined for capacitance codes.
  • A trailing letter (104K) is tolerance, not part of the value.

FAQ

What is a 104 capacitor?

100 nF. Two significant digits 10, multiplier 10⁴ pF.

What does 1R5 mean?

1.5 pF. R is the decimal point.

Why is 1 pF marked 109?

Third digit 9 means ×0.1, so 10 × 0.1 = 1 pF.

Can I encode from a value?

Yes. Switch to “from value”. Non-E12 figures round to the nearest 2-significant-digit code.

Related

Sources