Series and Parallel Capacitor Calculator
Cp = Σ Ci. 10 µF + 22 µF + 4.7 µF in parallel is 36.7 µF.
Calculator
Formula
Parallel
Cp = Σ Ci Series
1/Cs = Σ 1/Ci Voltage sharing
Series strings do not share DC voltage by 1/C Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Typical range | Precision | Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mode | Network | — | — | 1 sig | parallel |
| Ci | Capacitor list | F | ≥ 0 pF | 4 sig | 10u, 22u, 4.7u |
| Cp | Parallel equivalent | F | — | 4 sig | — |
| Cs | Series equivalent | F | — | 4 sig | — |
| N | Count | — | — | 4 sig | — |
| Ceq_uF | Equivalent in µF | µF | — | 4 sig | — |
| Ceq_nF | Equivalent in nF | nF | — | 4 sig | — |
| Ceq_pF | Equivalent in pF | pF | — | 4 sig | — |
Worked example
Parallel 10 + 22 + 4.7 µF
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| mode · Network | parallel |
| Ci · Capacitor list | 0.00001, 0.000022, 0.0000047 |
| Output | Value |
|---|---|
| Cp · Parallel equivalent | 36.7 µF |
| N · Count | 3 |
| Ceq_uF · Equivalent in µF | 36.7 µF |
Series 10 µF + 22 µF
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| mode · Network | series |
| Ci · Capacitor list | 0.00001, 0.000022 |
| Output | Value |
|---|---|
| Cs · Series equivalent | 6.875 µF |
| Ceq_uF · Equivalent in µF | 6.875 µF |
How it works
Add the values in parallel; invert, add and invert again in series. The series warning is not optional: two 100 V electrolytics in series are not a 200 V capacitor unless you add a bleed network.
Pitfalls
- Assuming series capacitors share DC as 1/C. Leakage sets the DC split; this page always warns.
- Typing 10 in the farad field when you mean 10 µF.
- Paralleling electrolytics without a shared ripple-current budget.
FAQ
What is 10 µF + 22 µF + 4.7 µF in parallel?
36.7 µF.
What is 10 µF in series with 22 µF?
6.875 µF. The smaller capacitor dominates.
Why is 0 F an error?
A 0 F capacitor is a short at DC in this model and makes 1/C invalid in series.
Do series capacitors share voltage equally?
Not at DC. Leakage and dielectric absorption set the split, not 1/C.
Related
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