Capacitors In Parallel Calculator

Work out capacitors in parallel instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Capacitors In Parallel Calculator

Capacitors in parallel simply add, because they all share the same voltage and their stored charges sum. Parallel banks are used both to reach a required capacitance and to lower equivalent series resistance and inductance, which is why decoupling uses several small parts rather than one large one.

Formula

Parallel capacitance

Ctotal = C1 + C2 + C3; Q = Ctotal x V

Worked example

With the default values below, Capacitors In Parallel Calculator returns Total capacitance of 790.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Capacitor 1: 100 µF
Capacitor 2: 220 µF
Capacitor 3: 470 µF
Applied voltage: 25 V

Results

Total capacitance: 790.00 µF
Total charge stored: 19,750.00 µC
Energy stored: 246.88 mJ
Largest capacitor's share of charge: 59.5% %

Step by step

1Values used
2Parallel capacitance
3Total capacitance= 790.00 µF
4Total charge stored= 19,750.00 µC
5Energy stored= 246.88 mJ
6Largest capacitor's share of charge= 59.5 %

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Electrical results are planning estimates only. Verify against the applicable wiring rules (IEC 60364, BS 7671, NEC or local code) and have all installation work designed and checked by a qualified electrician.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Electrical results are planning estimates only. Verify against the applicable wiring rules (IEC 60364, BS 7671, NEC or local code) and have all installation work designed and checked by a qualified electrician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use many small capacitors instead of one big one?

Parallel parts divide the ripple current and reduce total ESR and ESL, giving much better high-frequency behaviour than a single large capacitor.

Does the voltage rating add?

No. The bank is limited by the lowest-rated capacitor in it, since they all see the full voltage.