Capacitors in Series Calculator

Enter your capacitor values and units for up to four capacitors, and this Capacitors in Series Calculator finds your total series capacitance — always smaller than any single capacitor in the chain. You'll also see the smallest individual capacitor and exactly how much the series total is reduced compared to it.

Results

Total Series Capacitance

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Smallest Individual Capacitor

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Reduction vs Smallest

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Individual vs Total Capacitance

Frequently Asked Questions

How do capacitors in series work?

When capacitors are connected in series, they share the same charge but divide the voltage between them. The total capacitance is always smaller than the smallest individual capacitor value.

What is the formula for capacitors in series?

The formula is 1/C_total = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + ... where C_total is the total capacitance and C1, C2, C3 are individual capacitor values.

Why is series capacitance smaller than individual values?

In series connection, capacitors share the same charge but voltage divides among them. Since C = Q/V and Q is constant, higher voltage division results in lower total capacitance.

What's the difference between series and parallel capacitors?

In series, capacitors share charge and total capacitance decreases. In parallel, capacitors share voltage and total capacitance equals the sum of individual values.

Can I mix different capacitor units in series?

Yes, you can mix different units (μF, nF, pF, etc.) in series. The calculator automatically converts all values to the same unit for accurate calculation.

What happens to voltage across series capacitors?

In series connection, the applied voltage divides across capacitors inversely proportional to their capacitance values. Smaller capacitors get higher voltage drops.

How many capacitors can I connect in series?

Theoretically unlimited, but this calculator supports up to 10 capacitors. For more than 10, calculate in groups and then combine the results.

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