Capacitance Calculator

Enter value and click on calculate. Result will be displayed.
Select calculator :
 
Permittivity :
F/m
Area :
m2
Separation Distance :
m
Result:

A Capacitance Calculator is a tool used to calculate the capacitance of a capacitor, which is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field. Capacitance is a measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge, and it depends on the physical characteristics of the capacitor such as the area of the plates, the distance between them, and the material (dielectric) between them.

What is Capacitance?

Capacitance (C) is defined as the amount of charge (Q) that can be stored per unit voltage (V). The formula for capacitance is:

Capacitance is typically measured in farads (F), which is a large unit, so smaller units like microfarads (μF), nanofarads (nF), and picofarads (pF) are commonly used in practical applications.

For parallel plate capacitors, the capacitance is also given by:

Where:

  • C = Capacitance (in farads)
  • ϵ0​ = Permittivity of free space (8.85×10−12 F/m)
  • A = Area of the capacitor plates (in square meters)
  • d = Distance between the plates (in meters)

If there is a dielectric material between the plates, the formula becomes:

Where:

  • ϵr​ = Relative permittivity (dielectric constant) of the material between the plates

Why use a Capacitance Calculator?

  • Saves Time: Quickly calculates the capacitance without doing manual math, especially when multiple variables are involved.
  • Ensures Accuracy: Helps avoid errors in capacitance calculations, especially in more complex configurations.
  • Easy to Use: Just input the dimensions of the capacitor and the properties of the dielectric material, and the calculator does the rest.
  • Widely Applicable: Capacitance plays a crucial role in many electrical and electronic systems, such as filters, oscillators, and power supply circuits.

How does a Capacitance Calculator work?

  • Input:
    • The area of the plates (A)
    • The distance between the plates (d)
    • The dielectric constant (if applicable)
    • The permittivity of free space is usually constant and built into the formula.
  • Calculation:
    • The calculator applies the formula for capacitance based on the values entered.
  • Output:
    • The calculated capacitance in farads (or other relevant units like microfarads or picofarads).

When should you use a Capacitance Calculator?

  • In electrical engineering:
    • Designing and analyzing circuits that involve capacitors, such as filters, energy storage systems, and oscillators.
  • In electronics:
    • Determining the required capacitance for capacitors in various applications like power supplies, signal coupling, and timing circuits.
  • For educational purposes:
    • Studying the effects of capacitor parameters on capacitance and its role in electrical systems.
  • In manufacturing and circuit design:
    • Determining the physical specifications of capacitors needed for specific devices.