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Electrical calculator

Series Capacitor Calculator

Combine capacitors in series: 1/C = Σ 1/Ci. Runs locally in your browser.

Instant result
Result
—

Enter values to calculate.

Inputs—
Mode—
Formula—
Trust summary CVP VERIFIED · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed · Engineering assurance
Input interpretation
Enter values to calculate.
Result
—
Assurance
Engineering
Declared partition coverage
PASS · 3/3 declared partitions (two-cap, three-cap, invalid-domain) · Matrix
Known limitations
  • Ideal capacitors; no ESR/ESL
  • Core CVP does not include live graph, viewport, or pointer interaction.
Model
Series equivalent capacitance.
Scope
Ideal capacitors
Verification
Engine tested · Source checked · v1.0.0 · CVP VERIFIED · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed · Engineering assurance· View Manifest · CVP overview · Specification
Versions
Calculation 1.0.0 · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed
CVP identity
1/1 property · digest 850675471800
Legacy regression
5/5 tests · Production surface contract 3/3
Reference
O1 model · O2 expected_values · O2 numerical_behavior
Interfaces
PASS · UI (SSR) / REST / MCP — ui-ssr is query-result HTML, not a live browser session.
Supplemental domain review
Internal · Pass · electrical-engineer
Named expert review
Not performed
CVP suite
2/2 golden · 2/2 CVP boundary · 2/2 invalid · 1/1 property · 1/1 cross-interface · 1/1 CVP contract · Manifest
Sources
  • IEC 60050 — Capacitance — Series combination
  • Horowitz & Hill — The Art of Electronics — Capacitor networks
Sources
Evidence
2 legacy golden · 2 legacy boundary · legacy regression suite · 2/2 oracle-backed golden · 2/2 invalid · Artifact integrity PASS · CalculatorX electrical review
This calculator CURRENT · Public schema 1.0.0 matches · Semantic contract ✓ · Production attested · Public/cache ✓ · Origin ✓
Semantic contract
PASS
Full verification

Manifest identity, reference classes, interfaces, suite, and production records.

Formulas

Core equations used by this calculator.

Series1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + …
iIdeal lumped capacitors; no parasitics.

How to use

1

Enter at least two capacitances

C1, C2, … must be greater than zero (farads).

2

Add more series capacitors if needed

Empty fields are ignored.

3

Read equivalent capacitance

1/Ceq = Σ 1/Ci. Ceq is less than the smallest capacitor.

Example calculations

Common configurations with formula and result.

ϟ

1µF ∥ series 1µF

C1=C2=1µF

1/C=2
0.5 µF

Series Capacitor calculator specification

Version 1.0.0 · Engine tested · Supplemental domain review · Internal · 2026-08-08

Calculation status

Review policy · Evidence · Reviewed by CalculatorX electrical review (electrical-engineer)

Definition
Capacitors in series combine as reciprocals: 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + …. The equivalent is always smaller than the smallest capacitor.
What it calculates
Series equivalent capacitance.
Inputs
  • C1…C8 or C[]
Outputs
  • C_F
  • n
Formula
1/C=Σ1/Ci
Assumptions
  • Ideal capacitors
Units
  • F
Boundary conditions
  • Fewer than two C → NEEDS_TWO_INPUTS
  • C≤0 → VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE
Example
1µF+1µF series → 0.5µF
Validation cases

1 published on this page · 5/5 tests · Production surface contract 3/3 · View evidence

  • C1=1e-6 C2=1e-6 → C_F=5e-7
Sources
  • IEC 60050 — Capacitance — Series combination
    Supports: Reciprocal sum for series capacitors
  • Horowitz & Hill — The Art of Electronics — Capacitor networks
    Supports: Series reciprocal sum
Last reviewed
2026-08-08
Reviewed by
CalculatorX electrical review (electrical-engineer)
Calculation version
1.0.0

Background

Interpretation and common distinctions.

Compute series equivalent capacitance.

Supported and not supported

Supported — Series combination of 2–8 capacitors · API electrical.series_capacitor

Not supported — Parallel (use Capacitance), ESR/ESL networks

Agent / API notes

Capability id: electrical.series_capacitor · tool id: series-capacitor · pin 1.0.0.

Errors: MISSING_REQUIRED_INPUT, VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE, INVALID_MODE.

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Frequently asked questions

Key distinctions behind the calculation.

Why is series C smaller?

Charge is the same through each capacitor while voltages add, so Ceq = Q/ΣV is smaller.