Capacitor Series and Parallel Calculator

Compute the total capacitance of capacitors in series or parallel. Series uses the reciprocal sum, parallel uses the simple sum. Includes a circuit diagram.

Input

Enter capacitance values separated by commas and choose the connection type to compute the total capacitance.

Connection type

Parallel adds up, series uses the reciprocal of the sum of reciprocals.

Capacitance values (comma separated)

μF

For example 10, 22, 47. You can enter any number of values.

Result

Total capacitance (Parallel)

79μF

Combined result of 3 capacitors

If connected in series

5.99768 μF

Sum of capacitances

79 μF

Parallel uses C = C1 + C2 + ..., series uses 1 over C = 1 over C1 + 1 over C2 + .... Capacitors are the opposite of resistors.

How it works

The total capacitance of a parallel connection is the simple sum of the individual values (C_total = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn). Adding capacitors in parallel increases the total capacitance.
The total capacitance of a series connection is the reciprocal of the sum of reciprocals (1 over C_total = 1 over C1 + 1 over C2 + ...). Adding capacitors in series decreases the total capacitance.
Capacitors behave the opposite way to resistors. Resistors add in series and combine reciprocally in parallel, while capacitors add in parallel and combine reciprocally in series.
Enter any number of capacitance values separated by commas. The result is returned in the same unit you enter, such as microfarads.
This tool assumes ideal capacitors and ignores real characteristics such as leakage current, equivalent series resistance, and voltage rating.

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