How this calculator works
Parallel capacitors share voltage, and the charge in each branch adds. Their capacitances therefore add directly. Observe polarity, working voltage and ripple-current ratings; putting capacitors in parallel does not raise the working voltage.
Formula
Ceq = sum(Ci); Cmissing = Ctarget - sum(Cknown).
Worked example
Parallel 2 microfarad and 3 microfarad capacitors give 5 microfarads. A bank containing 2 microfarads needs another 3 microfarads to reach 5 microfarads.
Advertisement
Frequently asked questions
What does the component count mean?
It counts known components. Missing-component mode adds one more, so a single known component is allowed.
Why is a requested total rejected?
A passive positive component must change the total in the direction allowed by the connection. Equality would require a zero or infinite ideal component.
Are real component tolerances included?
No. Enter measured values or calculate tolerance extremes separately. Ratings and parasitic effects require a separate check.