SMD Capacitor Size Charts

Key Takeaways

• SMD capacitor size charts for commonly used multilayer ceramic capacitors.

• SMD electrolytic capacitor size codes for determining the best electrolytic capacitor size.

• SMD tantalum capacitor size charts for tantalum capacitor selection.

SMD Electrolytic Capacitor

As electronic devices continue to shrink, the importance of surface mount device (SMD) components cannot be overstated. These tiny components play a critical role in the functioning of modern electronics, enabling energy storage, signal filtering, and more. When working with SMD capacitors, it’s essential to consult SMD capacitor size charts to quickly determine the necessary size of capacitors to use in your design.

SMD Capacitor Size Chart

Below is the SMD capacitor size chart for the most common type of SMD capacitor: multilayer ceramic SMD capacitors, or MLCCs.

MLCC Capacitor Size Chart

Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) stand out as the predominant SMD choice in both usage and production. As exemplified by the SMD capacitor size chart above, MLCCs share the same packaging sizes as resistors, making their incorporation into designs especially easy. Notable advantages of MLCCs include their non-polarized nature, allowing efficient functions regardless of the direction of the applied voltage. 

MLCCs are composed of a rectangular ceramic dielectric block with interleaved metal electrodes, allowing for a high capacitance per unit volume. The inner electrodes are connected to the two terminations on the packaging, creating efficient board-to-component contact. This unique multilayer structure gives rise to the commonly used abbreviation MLCC.

SMD Electrolytic Capacitor Size Codes

SMD electrolytic capacitors also have occasional use in modern designs.  These capacitors find widespread utility in various applications due to their ability to provide high capacitance values at relatively low prices. 

Two primary methods are commonly employed for marking these capacitors.  The first method involves directly indicating the capacitance value — such as printing the microfarads (µF) value. The second method employs a code. In the case of direct printing, a marking of "100 16V" would signify a 100 µF capacitor with a working voltage of 16 volts, as in the image above. This standardized marking system facilitates easy identification and selection of SMD electrolytic capacitors for electronic circuit designs.

In the case a code is used, a common system utilizes a letter followed by three figures. The letter represents the working voltage and the three figures indicate the picofarad capacitance. For example, a marking of J106 would indicate a working voltage of 6.3 volts with a capacitance of 10⁶ picofarads = 10µF.

SMD Tantalum Capacitor Size Charts

Tantalum SMD capacitors have become a popular choice for applications requiring high levels of capacitance beyond those of typical ceramic capacitors. Due to distinct construction and requirements, different packaging setups are employed for SMD tantalum capacitors, adhering to specifications set by the Electronic Industries Alliance (which has ceased operations, but some standards remain. 

Ready to harness the power of SMD capacitor size charts for your next design? Look no further than Cadence's industry-leading PCB design and analysis tools, specifically OrCAD. With OrCAD PCB Designer, you can seamlessly integrate SMD capacitor size chart data into your design process, ensuring precise component selection. 

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