Use this electronics calculation for a first-pass component, converter, signal, motor, or sensor estimate when the stated operating conditions and units match the device data.

Specified load capacitance (pF)

Load capacitance specified for the crystal.

Stray capacitance (pF)

Parasitic stray capacitance seen at each pin.

Compute the external capacitor value required at each of the two crystal pins to meet a specified load capacitance. The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.^[1]

External capacitor, each (pF)

External capacitor to place from each pin to ground.

• Capacitance, ESR, leakage, ripple rating, lifetime, and self-resonance vary with frequency, temperature, DC bias, aging, dielectric, package, and mounting. Nominal capacitance alone does not determine in-circuit impedance or reliability.
• Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Check the result against the current datasheet and worst-case operating corners, then verify the circuit or measurement with simulation and bench testing where failure matters.

• Holdup Cap Value

  Compute the capacitance required to hold up a load from the input voltage down to a minimum voltage for a given time at constant power.

• Parallel Capacitors

  Calculate the total capacitance of two capacitors connected in parallel.

• Series Capacitors

  Calculate the total capacitance of two capacitors connected in series.