Parallel Capacitance

Ctotal = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn

Quick answer

This calculator solves Ctotal = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn for Ctotal. With Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF, the result is 0.79 mF.

Calculator

Result
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Formula

Ctotal = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn

Description

Capacitors in parallel add directly, which is the opposite of how resistors combine in parallel. This is because connecting capacitors in parallel effectively increases the total plate area while maintaining the same distance between plates. Parallel capacitors share the same voltage and each contributes independently to the total stored charge. This is the most common way to increase total capacitance in power supply filtering, where multiple capacitors of different types are placed in parallel to cover a wide frequency range.

Variables

  • Ctotal — Total equivalent capacitance (F)
  • C1, C2, ... Cn — Individual capacitor values (F)

Practical Notes

In power supply design, combining a large electrolytic (for bulk energy storage) with a small ceramic capacitor (for high-frequency bypassing) in parallel gives excellent filtering across the full frequency spectrum. Each type compensates for the other's weaknesses.

Symbols and units

Symbol Meaning Default unit Accepted units
values Capacitor Values µF pF, nF, µF, mF, F

Step by step

  1. 1. What you know: Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF
  2. 2. The relation: Ctotal = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn
  3. 3. Substitute: values = 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF
  4. 4. Result: Ctotal = 0.79 mF

Totals for common combinations

Components Values Total
2 100 µF + 100 µF 0.2 mF
2 100 µF + 0.22 mF 0.32 mF
2 100 µF + 1 mF 1.1 mF
3 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF 0.3 mF
3 100 µF + 0.22 mF + 0.47 mF 0.79 mF
4 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF 0.4 mF
4 100 µF + 0.22 mF + 0.47 mF + 1 mF 1.79 mF
5 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF 0.5 mF

Worked examples

Minimum range

Given: Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF

Result: Ctotal = 0.79 mF

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Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate Parallel Capacitance?

Use Ctotal = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn. With Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF, Ctotal works out to 0.79 mF.

What is the formula for Parallel Capacitance?

The formula is Ctotal = C1 + C2 + ... + Cn. Capacitors in parallel add directly, which is the opposite of how resistors combine in parallel.

Related Concepts

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