Capacitor Reactance Chart

Use this capacitor reactance chart after the calculator result to document capacitance, frequency, Xc, expected AC current, and datasheet follow-up.

Open calculator

Quick reference table

Capacitive reactance is XC = 1 / (2 pi f C). This component worksheet estimate shows that 10 uF at 60 Hz is about 265 ohms; with 120 V across the capacitor, ideal current is about 0.45 A. Use the chart before checking ESR, ripple current, ratings, and the wider system context.

Capacitive reactance snapshots

Capacitive reactance snapshots
Capacitance	XC at 60 Hz	XC at 1 kHz	Typical use note
0.01 uF	265 kOhm	15.9 kOhm	Small signal coupling or filtering
0.1 uF	26.5 kOhm	1.59 kOhm	Bypass or signal reference
1 uF	2.65 kOhm	159 ohm	Coupling or timing-related check
10 uF	265 ohm	15.9 ohm	Low-frequency filter estimate
100 uF	26.5 ohm	1.59 ohm	Large capacitance, ratings become critical

How to use the reactance result

How to use the reactance result
Result context	What Xc tells you	Follow-up before deciding
Signal coupling	Approximate AC opposition at the signal frequency	Check source/load impedance and frequency band
Bypass or filter capacitor	Whether the capacitor looks low impedance at that frequency	Check ESR, layout, voltage, and ripple current
Power-factor work	Reactive current estimate	Use power-factor calculator and equipment data
RC timing comparison	Frequency behavior only	Use the RC time constant calculator for time-domain delay

Calculator handoff for capacitor reactance work

Calculator handoff for capacitor reactance work
Search intent	Open the calculator when	Keep with the result
Capacitance and frequency lookup	The value must be converted between uF, nF, pF, and farads before Xc is trusted	Original marking, converted capacitance, frequency, and voltage across the capacitor
Filter or bypass estimate	Xc must be compared with source impedance, load impedance, ESR, and ripple-current limits	Circuit role, operating band, ESR note, voltage rating, and ripple-current source
Power-factor or reactive-current check	The reactance result feeds a larger kVAR, current, or equipment sizing screen	Measured voltage, phase context, equipment data, and manufacturer rating notes
RC timing comparison	The user needs time-domain charge or discharge behavior instead of only frequency-domain reactance	Resistance value, capacitance value, target threshold, and tolerance assumptions

Formula basis

XC = 1 / (2 x pi x f x C). Capacitor current estimate: I = V / XC.

XC is capacitive reactance in ohms.
f is frequency in hertz.
C is capacitance in farads.
I is the AC current estimate when voltage across the capacitor is known.

Worked examples

Estimate 10 uF at 60 HzXC = 1 / (2 x pi x 60 x 0.00001) = about 265 ohms. At 120 V across that capacitance, the ideal current estimate would be about 0.45 A before ratings and application limits are checked.

Compare 0.1 uF at 1 kHzA 0.1 uF capacitor has about 1.59 kOhm reactance at 1 kHz. That can be meaningful in a signal path, but source and load impedance decide the actual effect.

Assumptions. Balanced load and line-to-line voltage assumptions behind this chart.

The chart uses ideal capacitance and does not include ESR, ESL, leakage, tolerance, ripple current, or temperature effects.
Real capacitors can behave differently by dielectric type, voltage rating, frequency, package, and operating condition.
Power-factor and equipment applications need manufacturer data and the appropriate calculator path before decisions are made.

Code and standard notes. Planning limits that should be checked before final equipment selection.

Use component datasheets, equipment ratings, and system calculations before using a capacitor reactance result for equipment or power-factor decisions.

How to use this chart

1Convert capacitance firstConvert uF, nF, or pF into farads before using the reactance formula or comparing to the calculator result.

2Use the actual frequencyReactance changes with frequency, so record whether the check is at 60 Hz, a signal frequency, or a switching frequency.

3Add the circuit roleAfter the calculator result, note whether the capacitor is used for coupling, bypass, filtering, timing comparison, or reactive power work.

Worksheet checklist. Record source basis, review gaps, and assumptions before using the chart result.

Record value and frequencyWrite capacitance, frequency, voltage across the capacitor, and the converted farad value before calculating Xc.
Estimate current if neededUse voltage divided by Xc only as an ideal estimate, then check ripple current, ESR, and rating information.
Link to next calculatorUse impedance, power factor, or RC timing calculators when the reactance result feeds a larger circuit decision.

Common mistakes to avoid. Review these before turning chart current into an equipment decision.

Using the 60 Hz table for a circuit that actually operates at an audio, signal, or switching frequency.
Treating ideal Xc as the full impedance of a real capacitor without ESR, ESL, tolerance, and voltage effects.
Using a reactance result for power-factor or equipment work without checking ratings and the broader system calculation.

Frequently asked questions

These answers explain how to use the chart without turning a quick reference into a final design decision.

Does reactance go down when capacitance increases?

Yes. Capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to capacitance and frequency.

Is reactance the same as RC timing?

No. Reactance describes AC opposition at a frequency. RC timing describes charge and discharge over time.

Why does ESR matter?

Equivalent series resistance adds loss and heating that an ideal reactance formula does not show, especially in ripple or power applications.

When should I open the capacitor reactance calculator?

Open the calculator when capacitance, frequency, voltage, and unit conversions need to stay together before checking ESR, ripple current, component rating, or power-factor context.