# Capacitance Calculator

> Calculate capacitance from charge and voltage, or find charge/voltage from known values

**Category:** Conversion
**Keywords:** capacitance, capacitor, farads, charge, voltage, Q=CV, electrical
**URL:** https://complete.tools/capacitance-calculator

## How it calculates

The formula used to calculate capacitance is C = Q ÷ V, where C represents capacitance in Farads (F), Q is the charge in Coulombs (C), and V is the voltage in Volts (V). In this equation, capacitance (C) is directly proportional to the charge (Q) stored and inversely proportional to the voltage (V) applied. To find the capacitance, one simply divides the total charge stored in a capacitor by the voltage across it. Conversely, if capacitance and either charge or voltage are known, the formula can be rearranged to find the unknown variable. For instance, to find the charge when capacitance and voltage are known, the formula becomes Q = C × V. Each variable plays a critical role in determining the behavior of capacitors within electrical circuits.

## Who should use this

Electronics engineers designing circuit layouts requiring specific capacitance values. Physics researchers studying energy storage in capacitors for experimental setups. Electric vehicle designers calculating battery efficiency and energy storage requirements. Home automation specialists integrating capacitors into smart home devices for improved performance.

## Worked examples

Example 1: Calculate the capacitance of a capacitor that stores 0.005 Coulombs of charge at 10 Volts. Using the formula C = Q ÷ V, we substitute the values: C = 0.005 C ÷ 10 V = 0.0005 F, or 500 µF. This indicates that the capacitor can store 500 microfarads of charge at 10 volts.

Example 2: Determine the voltage required to store 0.01 Coulombs of charge in a capacitor with a capacitance of 2 Farads. Rearranging the formula gives V = Q ÷ C. Substituting the values: V = 0.01 C ÷ 2 F = 0.005 V, or 5 mV. This shows that a voltage of 5 millivolts is needed to store the specified charge in this capacitor.

## Limitations

The Capacitance Calculator has specific limitations that users should be aware of. It assumes ideal conditions, meaning it does not account for real-world factors such as dielectric losses or temperature variations, which can affect capacitance values. The calculator provides results only for linear capacitors; non-linear capacitors may yield inaccurate results. Additionally, there is a precision limit based on the significant figures of the input values, which may lead to rounding errors in very small or large numbers. Finally, if the values provided fall below the threshold of practical measurement (i.e., very small charge or voltage), the results may not be reliable.

## FAQs

**Q:** How does temperature affect capacitance calculations?


**A:** Temperature can influence the dielectric properties of materials used in capacitors, leading to variations in capacitance that are not accounted for in this calculator.


**Q:** Can this calculator handle complex circuits with multiple capacitors?


**A:** No, this calculator is designed for single capacitors and does not consider series or parallel arrangements, which require additional formulas for total capacitance.


**Q:** What happens if the voltage exceeds the capacitor's rated voltage?


**A:** Exceeding the rated voltage can lead to dielectric breakdown, resulting in capacitor failure and potentially dangerous situations, which this calculator does not address.


**Q:** Is the capacitance value affected by the charge's polarity?


**A:** The capacitance value itself remains the same regardless of polarity; however, the behavior of the capacitor in a circuit may differ based on the charge's polarity.

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