Ceramic Capacitor Codes

How to read a Ceramic capacitor with Numeric coding.

Multiplier Table (Ceramic)

Number Multiply By (Additional # of Zeros)
0 None (0)
1 10 (1)
2 100 (2)
3 1,000 (3)
4 10,000 (4)
5 100,000 (5)
6 1,000,000 (6)

Common Temperature Coefficient Codes (Ceramic)

Code Tolerance
C ±0.25pF
J ±5%
K ±10%
M ±20%
D ±0.5pF
Z +80% / -20%

Common Temperature Coefficient Characteristics (Ceramic)

Temperature Coefficient Operating Temperature Range Capacitance Change Minimum Capacitor Tolerance
Y5E -30°C ~ +85°C ± 4.7% ±10%
Y5F -30°C ~ +85°C ±7.5% ±20%
Y5P -30°C ~ +85°C ± 10% ±10%
Y5U -30°C ~ +85°C +22% / -56% ±20%
Y5V -30°C ~ +85°C +22% / -82% ±20%
Z5U +10°C ~ +85°C + 22% / -56% ±20%
Z5V +10°C ~ +85°C + 22% / -82% +80% / -20%

Application Notes (Ceramic):

NPO: Has a very low dissipation factor and are very stable over wide variations in temperature, frequency, voltage, and time. NPO type capacitors are frequently used for precision timing, filtering, frequency setting, and tuning circuits.

X7R: Are used when some capacitance variation is allowed and the dissipation factor is not critical. X7R type capacitors are frequently used for bypass, decoupling, filtering, frequency discrimination, timing, DC voltage blocking, voltage transient suppression, instrumentation, computers, telecommunications, and automotive electronics.

Z5U: Dielectrics have the highest capacitance for their size. Z5U type capacitors have applications in bypass, decoupling, transient suppression, computers, and telecommunications.


 

Common Capacitor Working Voltages (DC), By Capacitor Type.

Ceramic Electrolytic Tantalum Mylar (Polyester) Mylar (Metal Film)
  10V 10V    
16V 16V 16V    
    20V    
25V 25V 25V    
  35V 35V    
50V 50V 50V 50V  
  63V      
100V 100V   100V  
  160V      
      200V  
  250V     250V
  350V      
      400V 400V
  450V      
600V        
        630V
1000V