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Capacitor Code Reference Table (Value, Tolerance and Dielectric)

A capacitor marked 104 is not 104 of anything. It is 10 followed by four zeros, in picofarads. This lookup table decodes value codes, tolerance letters and the dielectric designations you see on ceramic parts, so you can check a part against the BOM without guessing.

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Type	Code	Meaning	Equivalent or detail
Value	109	1.0 pF	Multiplier 9 means x0.1
Value	509	5.0 pF	Multiplier 9 means x0.1
Value	101	100 pF	0.1 nF
Value	151	150 pF	0.15 nF
Value	221	220 pF	0.22 nF
Value	331	330 pF	0.33 nF
Value	471	470 pF	0.47 nF
Value	681	680 pF	0.68 nF
Value	102	1,000 pF	1 nF
Value	152	1,500 pF	1.5 nF
Value	222	2,200 pF	2.2 nF
Value	332	3,300 pF	3.3 nF
Value	472	4,700 pF	4.7 nF
Value	682	6,800 pF	6.8 nF
Value	103	10,000 pF	10 nF = 0.01 uF
Value	153	15,000 pF	15 nF = 0.015 uF
Value	223	22,000 pF	22 nF = 0.022 uF
Value	333	33,000 pF	33 nF = 0.033 uF
Value	473	47,000 pF	47 nF = 0.047 uF
Value	683	68,000 pF	68 nF = 0.068 uF
Value	104	100,000 pF	100 nF = 0.1 uF
Value	154	150,000 pF	150 nF = 0.15 uF
Value	224	220,000 pF	220 nF = 0.22 uF
Value	334	330,000 pF	330 nF = 0.33 uF
Value	474	470,000 pF	470 nF = 0.47 uF
Value	684	680,000 pF	680 nF = 0.68 uF
Value	105	1,000,000 pF	1 uF
Value	225	2,200,000 pF	2.2 uF
Value	475	4,700,000 pF	4.7 uF
Value	106	10,000,000 pF	10 uF
Value	226	22,000,000 pF	22 uF
Value	4R7	4.7 pF	R acts as the decimal point
Tolerance	B	+/- 0.1 pF	Small value C0G types
Tolerance	C	+/- 0.25 pF	Small value C0G types
Tolerance	D	+/- 0.5 pF	Small value C0G types
Tolerance	F	+/- 1%	Precision
Tolerance	G	+/- 2%	Precision
Tolerance	J	+/- 5%	Common for C0G and film
Tolerance	K	+/- 10%	Common for X7R
Tolerance	M	+/- 20%	Common for X5R, X7R and electrolytic
Tolerance	Z	+80% / -20%	Typical of Y5V and some bypass parts
Dielectric	C0G (NP0)	-55 to 125 C, 0 +/- 30 ppm/C	Class 1, very stable, no aging, low capacitance range
Dielectric	X7R	-55 to 125 C, +/- 15%	Class 2, loses capacitance with DC bias and ages
Dielectric	X5R	-55 to 85 C, +/- 15%	Class 2, common in small high value parts
Dielectric	X7S	-55 to 125 C, +/- 22%	Class 2
Dielectric	Y5V	-30 to 85 C, +22% / -82%	Class 2, wide swing, avoid where value matters
Dielectric	Z5U	+10 to 85 C, +22% / -56%	Class 2, wide swing

Three digit code rule: the first two digits are the value and the third is the number of zeros, giving picofarads. 104 = 10 followed by 4 zeros = 100,000 pF. Many small SMD ceramic capacitors carry no marking at all, so rely on reel labels and the manufacturer part number.

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How to use the table

Type the marking into the search box, for example 473 or X7R, and the matching rows appear. For value codes read the picofarad figure and the nF or uF equivalent. For tolerance, the letter often follows the number, so 104K is 100 nF at plus or minus 10 percent. For dielectric, look up the temperature range and capacitance change so you know whether a substitute is truly equivalent. Export the table to PDF for the bench or to Excel for your inspection plan.

The rules behind the codes

The three digit system is simple: the first two digits are significant figures and the third is a power of ten multiplier, with the result in picofarads. A multiplier of 9 means times 0.1, which is how 509 becomes 5.0 pF. An R in the code marks the decimal point. Dielectric codes follow EIA-198: class 1 types like C0G are stable and do not age, while class 2 types like X7R and X5R trade stability for volume and change with temperature, DC bias and time.

C0G for timing, filters and precision analog.
X7R and X5R for decoupling and bulk bypass.
Y5V and Z5U lose a large fraction of rated capacitance in use.

Common mistakes in sourcing and substitution

The costliest error is treating nominal value as the only spec. A 10 uF X5R in a small case can fall to a fraction of that at rated DC voltage. Substituting X7R for C0G in an oscillator or filter changes behavior. Voltage rating, case size, ESR and the dielectric must all be on the BOM line and the AVL, and a cross reference should be engineering approved. Also watch for polarity on tantalum and electrolytic parts, which the code table does not cover.

Check DC bias derating curves for class 2 parts.
Never accept a different dielectric as a drop in alternate without review.
Keep voltage rating and case size on the item master.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of a 104 capacitor?

104 means 10 followed by 4 zeros in picofarads, which is 100,000 pF. That equals 100 nF or 0.1 uF. It is one of the most common decoupling values on digital boards.

What does the K or M after the number mean?

It is the tolerance letter. K is plus or minus 10 percent and M is plus or minus 20 percent. J is 5 percent. So 104K is 100 nF with 10 percent tolerance.

Is X7R the same as X5R?

Both are class 2 ceramics with plus or minus 15 percent over their temperature range, but X7R covers minus 55 to 125 C and X5R only to 85 C. Use X7R where the board runs hot or where the spec requires it.

Why do some SMD capacitors have no marking?

Chip capacitors are small and ceramic bodies are not marked in production. Identification relies on the reel or bag label and the manufacturer part number. Keep unmarked parts in labeled containers to avoid mix ups.

If cross references and alternates are scattered across spreadsheets and ERP records, we can help link them to approved item specs. Optional, and this table needs nothing from us.

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