Microfarads
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Capacitor Value & Code Converter
Decode a 3-digit capacitor code such as 104 into picofarads, nanofarads, and microfarads.
Page updated 2026-09-14.
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Picofarads
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Nanofarads
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Three digits, decoded into a capacitance value
The 3-digit code '104' decodes to 0.1 microfarads (µF), equivalently 100,000 picofarads (pF) or 100 nanofarads (nF) -- three different unit expressions of the exact same capacitance value.
The decoding rule: the first two digits (10) are the significant digits, and the third digit (4) is the power-of-10 multiplier in picofarads -- 10 x 10^4 = 100,000 pF, which is the base picofarad value this entire code system is built around.
Converting that base 100,000 pF figure into the more commonly used microfarad unit (divide by 1,000,000) gives 0.1 µF, and into nanofarads (divide by 1,000) gives 100 nF -- all three figures represent the identical physical capacitance, just scaled into whichever unit is more convenient for a given context or datasheet.
Why the rule changes for 2-digit codes
Digits AB times 10^C picofarads. Two-digit codes are that many pF. A 2-digit code (rather than this example's 3-digit code) is interpreted differently -- it directly represents that many picofarads with no multiplier digit at all, since very small-value capacitors don't need the extra order-of-magnitude scaling a third digit provides.
This '104' style code is specifically the EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) standard marking commonly printed on small ceramic disc capacitors, where physical space for a full written-out value (like '0.1µF') is too limited for practical printing on the tiny component.
Reading a capacitor code correctly matters for circuit reliability -- confusing microfarads, nanofarads, and picofarads (three units differing by factors of 1,000 from each other) is a classic and easy component-substitution mistake when hand-assembling or repairing electronics.
Related electronics component tools
For decoding a resistor's color bands rather than a capacitor's printed numeric code, the Resistor Color Code Calculator handles that related but differently-marked component.
Once component values are known, the Ohm's Law Calculator is useful for the resistive side of the same circuit design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does '104' decode to 100,000 picofarads?
Digits AB times 10^C picofarads. Two-digit codes are that many pF. The first two digits (10) are the significant digits, and the third digit (4) is the power-of-10 multiplier: 10 x 10^4 = 100,000 picofarads, the base value this code system is built on.
How does 100,000 pF convert to 0.1 µF?
1 microfarad equals 1,000,000 picofarads, so dividing 100,000 pF by 1,000,000 gives 0.1 µF -- the same physical capacitance expressed in a more commonly used unit for this value range.
What's different about a 2-digit capacitor code?
Digits AB times 10^C picofarads. Two-digit codes are that many pF. A 2-digit code represents that many picofarads directly, with no multiplier digit -- used for very small-value capacitors that don't need the extra order-of-magnitude scaling a third digit provides.
Where would I typically see a code like '104' printed?
On small ceramic disc capacitors, where this EIA standard code compresses the value into 3 characters since there isn't enough physical space to print a full value like '0.1µF' legibly on such a tiny component.
Why does mixing up µF, nF, and pF matter so much in practice?
Each unit differs from the next by a factor of 1,000 (1 µF = 1,000 nF = 1,000,000 pF), so misreading a capacitor's unit is a classic, easy-to-make substitution error that could mean using a capacitor a thousand times too large or too small for the intended circuit.
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