Capacitors in Series Calculator
Combine a list of capacitor values connected in series.
Combine series capacitances correctly
Capacitors in series all carry the same charge while their voltage drops add, so equivalent capacitance is the reciprocal of the sum of individual reciprocals. This calculator parses comma, space, or newline separated positive values and reports the equivalent in the same unit. It avoids mistakenly adding values as one would for parallel capacitors or series resistors.
Entering 10 and 20 microfarads gives reciprocal sum 0.15 per microfarad and equivalent capacitance 6.66667 microfarads. The result is smaller than the smallest component, which is a quick sanity check for a series network. Two equal capacitors in series produce half one capacitor's value, while adding another series part lowers the total further.
Account for voltage sharing and tolerances separately
Equivalent capacitance alone does not determine safe voltage sharing. Leakage differences, tolerance, dielectric absorption, bias dependence, and balancing resistors can make real voltage division unequal, especially with electrolytic capacitors. The arithmetic runs in your browser and retains the unit you choose. Use rated components and manufacturer guidance for high-voltage or energy-storage assemblies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is series capacitance smaller than every capacitor?
Each capacitor adds reciprocal impedance to charge storage, so the reciprocal sum must yield a value below the smallest part.
Can I mix nanofarads and microfarads?
Convert every entry to one common unit first; the result uses whatever shared unit the list represents.
Do series capacitors always split voltage equally?
Only identical ideal capacitors do. Leakage, tolerance, and bias effects can produce unequal real voltage sharing.
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