Capacitance Calculator

Capacitance is the ability to store electrical charge, measured in Farads (F). It's calculated as C = Q/V (charge divided by voltage). A 1 Farad capacitor stores 1 Coulomb of charge at 1 Volt. Most capacitors are microfarads (µF) or smaller.

A capacitor has two conductive plates separated by an insulator (dielectric). When voltage is applied, charge accumulates on the plates - positive on one side, negative on the other. The charge is stored in the electric field between the plates.

Ceramic capacitors: 1pF-10µF; Film capacitors: 1nF-100µF; Electrolytic capacitors: 1µF-10,000µF; Supercapacitors: 1F-1000F+. Larger capacitance stores more charge. Supercapacitors can store massive amounts, competing with batteries.

Filtering (smooth power supplies), timing circuits (with resistors), energy storage (camera flashes, backup power), coupling/decoupling AC signals, tuning radio frequencies, and motor starting. Essential in virtually all electronic devices.

Capacitance increases with larger plate area, closer plate spacing, and higher dielectric constant material. C = ε₀εᵣA/d, where A is area, d is distance, ε₀ is vacuum permittivity, and εᵣ is relative permittivity of the dielectric.

Yes! Large capacitors store significant energy and can deliver dangerous shocks even after power is disconnected. Always discharge capacitors before handling. Camera flashes and power supplies can hold lethal charges for hours or days.