Case 1
- First capacitance C1 (F)
- 2F
- Second capacitance C2 (F)
- 3F
5.000000F
Open with these valuesParallel Capacitance Calculator
5.000000F
Result: 5.000000 FCapacitors in parallel add: 2 F beside 3 F make 5 F, always more than either part. That is the reverse of resistors, where parallel lowers the total, and the reverse of capacitors in series, which come out smaller than either one. Enter both values in farads — 470 µF is 0.00047 F.
The numbers at a glance
Held fixed: First capacitance C1 (F) 2.000000000000 F.
| Second capacitance C2 (F) (F) | Result (F) |
|---|---|
| 1.000000000000 | 3.000000 |
| 2.000000000000 | 4.000000 |
| 3.000000000000Your value | 5.000000 |
| 4.000000000000 | 6.000000 |
| 5.000000000000 | 7.000000 |
| 6.000000000000 | 8.000000 |
Worked examples
Case 2
- First capacitance C1 (F)
- 0.0001F
- Second capacitance C2 (F)
- 0.00022F
0.000320F
Open with these valuesCase 3
- First capacitance C1 (F)
- 4.7F
- Second capacitance C2 (F)
- 2.2F
6.900000F
Open with these valuesHow it's calculated
C = C1 + C2
- StepEnter the first capacitance in farads — 470 µF is 0.00047 F.
- StepEnter the second capacitor, wired across the same two nodes.
- ResultRead the total; it is always larger than either capacitor alone.
Reference table
| C1 (F), C2 (F) | What it is | Total (F) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0001, 0.00022 | 100 µF beside 220 µF | 0.00032 |
| 1, 1 | two matched parts | 2 |
| 2, 3 | the default pair | 5 |
| 4.7, 2.2 | two E12 values | 6.9 |
| 10, 5 | an unequal pair | 15 |
| 50, 50 | double one of them | 100 |
Questions
How do two capacitors in parallel combine?
They simply add: C = C1 + C2. For 2 F and 3 F that is 5 F. Capacitors are in parallel when both leads connect to the same two nodes, so the same voltage sits across each one.
Why is the total larger than either capacitor?
Connecting capacitors side by side effectively combines their plate areas, and a larger plate area holds more charge at the same voltage. Each part adds its own charge-storing surface. The total is therefore always above the larger of the two.
What happens when both capacitors are equal?
The total is exactly double one of them, because C plus C is 2C. Two 1 F capacitors give 2 F, two 10 µF capacitors give 20 µF. It is the easy way to build a value twice as large from matched parts.
How is parallel different from series for capacitors?
It is the opposite. In parallel you add the values and the total grows; in series the total falls below the smaller capacitor. Note that this is the reverse of resistors, where series adds and parallel reduces.
Where is parallel capacitance used?
Adding bulk capacitance to smooth a power supply, building a precise value from standard parts on hand, and pairing a large electrolytic with a small ceramic to filter both low and high frequency noise. Any time several capacitors share the same two nodes, their values add.
Sources and last check
Information, not professional advice.