Capacitance Calculator – Parallel Plates
Estimate capacitance of ideal parallel plates fully filled by a uniform dielectric.
Formula
C = εA/d; ε in pF/m, A in m², d in m gives C in pF.
Overlapping area: 100 cm² · Plate separation: 1 mm · Capacitance ≈ (8.85)×(100 cm² × 0.0001 m²/cm²)÷(1 mm × 0.001 m/mm)
How to use
- Enter the overlapping plate area and separation.
- Enter absolute permittivity ε in pF/m.
- Read estimated capacitance.
Examples
- 100 cm², 1 mm and ε = 8.85 pF/m give 88.5 pF.
Frequently asked questions
What is the default permittivity?
8.85 pF/m is a rounded vacuum value, not every dielectric.
Is ε the relative permittivity?
No. Enter absolute permittivity; multiply relative permittivity by vacuum permittivity.
When is this approximation valid?
For uniform parallel plates with a small gap compared with plate dimensions; fringing is ignored.
Sources
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