Ceramic capacitor types play an essential role in numerous electronic devices, ranging from smartphones to power supplies. These components are known for their small size, stability, and wide frequency response. But what makes one type different from another, and how do engineers decide which to use in a circuit?

What is a ceramic capacitor?

A ceramic capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores electrical energy using a ceramic material as its dielectric. These capacitors are used in electronics to filter, decouple, or smooth voltage in circuit boards due to their stable capacitance and low losses across a wide temperature range.

Ceramic capacitors are made by layering conductive plates with ceramic dielectric material in between. Common types include the ceramic disc capacitor and the multilayer chip capacitor (SMD), both of which are commonly found on printed circuit boards (PCBs). Depending on the ceramic class—Class I or Class II—they can offer high capacitance, a stable temperature coefficient, and minimal capacitance change under applied voltage.

With capacitance values ranging from a few picofarads (pF) to several microfarads (µF), and voltage ratings from 16V to over 1kV, ceramic capacitors are versatile. Their dielectric constant, marking codes, and physical size (measured in mm) all help define their role, whether in coupling, filtering, or maintaining resonant conditions in electronic circuits.

What are ceramic capacitors used for?

Ceramic capacitors are used in electronics to filter signals, decouple noise, smooth power supply voltage, and enable coupling between circuit stages. Their stable capacitance and low losses make them ideal for high-frequency applications across a wide temperature range in both analog and digital circuit boards.

These capacitors are commonly found in smartphones, computers, automotive electronics, and industrial equipment. On a printed circuit board (PCB), they’re used near microcontrollers and power lines to stabilize voltage and reduce electromagnetic interference. High capacitance multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are favored for compact designs, while ceramic disc capacitors often serve in through-hole applications.

Depending on the dielectric material and class, ceramic capacitors support various roles—some maintain consistent capacitance despite changes in applied voltage or temperature (low temperature coefficient), while others offer higher capacitance in a smaller form factor. Tools like a capacitor calculator can help engineers quickly determine the appropriate capacitance value based on markings, tolerance, and circuit requirements.

While ceramic capacitors dominate the surface-mount and high-frequency filtering segments, other technologies like vacuum capacitors play a role in high-voltage RF systems. Though less common in consumer electronics, the vacuum capacitor market remains important for applications like broadcast transmitters, MRI machines, and industrial RF heating systems where extremely high voltage and low loss are required.

Capacitor dielectric types vs ceramic capacitor types

Capacitor dielectric types refer to the insulating materials used across various capacitor technologies, including film, electrolytic, mica, and ceramic. These dielectric materials affect the capacitor’s performance, including its capacitance stability, voltage rating, and temperature range. Ceramic capacitors are just one family within this broader category, and their dielectric type is defined by the specific ceramic formulation used.

Ceramic capacitor types, on the other hand, refer to the different classes and subtypes within ceramic technology, such as C0G, X7R, or Y5V, each offering distinct temperature coefficients and electrical characteristics. Knowing how to identify ceramic capacitors based on these classes is essential when selecting the right component for decoupling, filtering, or high-frequency applications.

What are the different ceramic capacitor types?

Ceramic capacitors are classified by the type of ceramic dielectric used, which directly affects their performance, stability, and intended application. These types are grouped into classes based on characteristics like temperature stability, capacitance range, and precision.

Understanding the differences between these classes and subtypes is essential when selecting the right capacitor for your circuit.

The table below summarizes the key properties of the most common ceramic capacitor dielectric types by class:

Class Dielectric Temp Range (°C) Cap. Stability Cap. Range Voltage Stability Losses / Q Typical Applications
Class 1 C0G / NP0 -55 to +125 ±30 ppm/°C Low (pF–nF) Excellent Very Low / High Q RF, timing, precision analog
Class 1 C0H -55 to +180 ±60 ppm/°C Low (pF–nF) Excellent Very Low Automotive, high-temp circuits
Class 1 P100 -25 to +85 (typical) +100 ppm/°C Low (pF–nF) Good Low Temperature compensation networks
Class 2 X7R -55 to +125 ±15% Medium (nF–µF) Moderate Moderate Decoupling, filtering, general-purpose SMD
Class 2 X5R -55 to +85 ±15% Medium (nF–µF) Moderate to Poor Moderate Consumer electronics, space-constrained designs
Class 2 Y5V -30 to +85 +22% / -82% High (µF) Poor High losses Bulk decoupling, low-cost filtering
Class 2 Z5U +10 to +85 +22% / -56% High (µF) Very Poor High losses Non-critical, ultra-low-cost consumer electronics
Class 3 Ferroelectric Mixes Varies Up to -80% (with voltage/temp) Very High (µF) Very Poor Very High losses High-capacitance in space-limited consumer devices
Specialized MLCC (Multi-layer) Varies Varies by class used Wide (pF–µF) Varies Low to moderate Used in modern electronics, decoupling, filtering
Specialized X / Y Safety -40 to +125 ±15–30% (typically) Varies (nF–µF) High stability required Low Line-filtering, fault protection, IEC-rated circuits
Specialized Barrier Layer (BLC) Up to +200 Stable over temp/frequency Low to medium Excellent Very Low Aerospace, automotive, harsh environments

Class 1 Ceramic Capacitors

Class 1 ceramic capacitors offer exceptional accuracy and stability. These capacitors are made from non-ferroelectric materials and are used when capacitance change with temperature, voltage, or time must be minimized.

They have low dielectric constants, meaning lower capacitance values, but offer near-zero drift—ideal for resonant circuits, oscillators, and precision timing applications.

C0G (NP0)

C0G (also referred to as NP0) is the most common Class 1 type. It has a temperature coefficient of 0 ±30 ppm/°C and virtually no capacitance change with temperature or applied voltage. These capacitors are used in high-frequency circuits and timing components where precision matters.

C0H

C0H has a slightly broader temperature coefficient tolerance of ±60 ppm/°C. It still maintains excellent stability but offers a slightly more cost-effective alternative for less-critical applications that don’t demand the ultra-tight tolerance of C0G.

P100

P100 capacitors have a positive temperature coefficient of 100 ppm/°C. While not as common as C0G, they are used in applications that require predictable, linear increases in capacitance with temperature, like temperature compensation networks.

Class 2 Ceramic Capacitors

Class 2 ceramic capacitors are made from ferroelectric ceramic materials like barium titanate. These offer a much higher dielectric constant, enabling capacitors with higher capacitance in smaller packages. However, they are more sensitive to voltage, temperature, and aging, meaning capacitance values can drift significantly over time and in varying conditions. These are widely used in decoupling applications in power supplies and general-purpose electronics.

X7R

X7R capacitors have a temperature range of -55°C to +125°C and a capacitance variation of ±15%. They are a popular Class 2 type used for decoupling, filtering, and general-purpose surface mount applications due to their balance of stability and size.

X5R

X5R has a narrower operating temperature range (-55°C to +85°C) but otherwise performs similarly to X7R. It allows for slightly higher capacitance in smaller form factors, often used in consumer electronics where space is limited, and slight variation is acceptable.

Y5V

Y5V capacitors can vary as much as -82% to +22% over temperature. They offer high capacitance in a very compact size, but should be used only when precision is not critical, like in bulk decoupling, where exact capacitance is not essential.

Z5U

Z5U capacitors have an even more limited operating temperature range and greater variation than Y5V. These are rarely used in modern high-reliability circuits but may still be found in low-cost consumer electronics.

Class 3 Ceramic Capacitors

Class 3 capacitors use ferroelectric ceramics with extremely high dielectric constants, allowing for very high capacitance values in ultra-small packages. However, they exhibit significant changes in capacitance with temperature, voltage, and aging. These are ideal for applications where space is at a premium and tight capacitance tolerance is not required.

They are primarily used in mass-produced consumer electronics where component size is more important than long-term stability or precision. Capacitors don’t perform consistently across wide operating ranges in this class but are valued for their volumetric efficiency.

Specialized Ceramic Capacitors

Specialized ceramic capacitors go beyond the standard class definitions and are designed for specific use cases in modern electronics. These include safety applications, high-reliability power filtering, and high-density designs.

MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor)

MLCCs are the most widely used ceramic capacitors today. Built by layering multiple ceramic and metal layers, they offer high capacitance in compact surface-mount packages. MLCCs are used in almost every modern electronic device and support a wide range of voltages, sizes, and classes. Their structure enables the sintering of finely ground granules for consistent performance.

Safety Capacitors (Class X and Y)

These are ceramic capacitors designed to meet safety standards (IEC and others) for use across AC lines or in fault-protection applications. They are classified into X (across-the-line) and Y (line-to-ground) types and are tested to fail in a non-hazardous manner.

Barrier Layer Capacitors

Also known as BLCs, these use internal conductive barrier layers to maintain performance at high temperatures and frequencies. They are used in demanding environments such as aerospace or automotive.

These specialized capacitors are available in through-hole and surface mount versions and are critical in high-reliability and safety-critical designs.

Capacitor dielectric types

Dielectric types are a core aspect of how capacitors perform in electronic circuits. The dielectric is the insulating material between the capacitor’s conductive plates, and it determines characteristics like capacitance stability, voltage rating, temperature tolerance, and physical size.

Below is a breakdown of the most common capacitor dielectric types used across the electronics industry, including those beyond ceramic capacitors.

Ceramic
Ceramic is one of the most widely used dielectric materials. Ceramic capacitors are available in several classes (e.g., C0G, X7R, Y5V), offering options that range from ultra-stable to high-capacitance values. These are non-polarized and commonly used in filtering, decoupling, and coupling applications on circuit boards.

Electrolytic
Electrolytic capacitors use an oxide layer on aluminum or tantalum as the dielectric. These offer high capacitance in compact sizes but are polarized—meaning they must be placed with correct capacitor polarity. They're often used in power supply filtering and bulk energy storage, especially in DC circuits.

Film
Film capacitors utilize plastic film materials, such as polyester, polypropylene, or polycarbonate, as their dielectric. Known for their stability and reliability, they are ideal for high-frequency applications, audio circuits, and environments requiring long life and low distortion.

Mica
Mica capacitors use mica as the dielectric, offering exceptional stability, precision, and low loss. They're commonly used in RF applications and high-frequency circuits due to their consistent capacitance over time and temperature.

Tantalum
Tantalum capacitors use tantalum oxide as the dielectric. They are polarized, compact, and provide high capacitance per volume. Tantalum capacitors are often used in space-constrained applications such as smartphones and portable devices.

Glass
Glass dielectric capacitors are rare but offer exceptional temperature stability and insulation resistance. These are used in high-reliability environments, such as those in the military, aerospace, and high-voltage circuits.

Vacuum
Vacuum capacitors use a vacuum as the dielectric, allowing for extremely high voltage ratings and minimal dielectric loss. These are typically used in RF power transmission, medical imaging, and industrial equipment requiring precise energy delivery.

Paper
Paper was one of the earliest dielectric materials used, but has largely been replaced by film and ceramic. However, paper capacitors can still be found in legacy equipment or certain high-voltage applications.

Palladium-based dielectrics
Some high-end multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) used in precision and military applications may use palladium in their electrodes. While not a dielectric itself, knowing how to identify palladium capacitors is important in high-value component sourcing and recycling.

FAQs on types of ceramic capacitors and usage?

C0G vs X7R

C0G capacitors (Class 1 capacitors) offer excellent accuracy and stability, with minimal capacitance change with temperature and voltage. They’re ideal for resonant circuits or timing applications. X7R (Class 2 capacitors) are ferroelectric ceramic types that offer much higher dielectric constants and are better for general-purpose decoupling applications where space and higher capacitance are priorities.

Best for:

  • C0G: Precision, low-loss circuits
  • X7R: High-capacitance, compact decoupling in surface mount designs

C0G vs NP0

C0G and NP0 are essentially the same type—NP0 is the EIA designation, while C0G is the IEC equivalent. Both belong to Class 1 ceramic capacitor classes, with a temperature coefficient of 0 ppm/°C. They show no significant capacitance change with temperature or voltage.

Best for:

  • Applications needing consistent performance regardless of environmental changes

C0G vs C0H

Both are Class 1 capacitors, but C0H allows a slightly wider temperature coefficient range (±60 ppm/°C) compared to C0G (±30 ppm/°C). If ultra-tight accuracy isn't critical, C0H may be a cost-effective alternative.

Best for:

  • C0G: Frequency-sensitive, precision timing circuits
  • C0H: Applications tolerating minor variation

X5R vs X7R

These are both Class 2 ferroelectric ceramic types, offering higher capacitance values. X5R operates from -55°C to +85°C, while X7R supports up to +125°C. Capacitance change with temperature is similar (±15%), but X7R handles wider operating environments.

Best for:

  • X5R: Consumer devices with standard temperature needs
  • X7R: Automotive, industrial, or other higher-temp use cases

X7R vs Y5V

X7R capacitors maintain better stability over temperature and voltage, with a change of capacitance up to ±15%. Y5V (Class 3) capacitors offer much higher capacitance in smaller packages but can vary more than ±82% over temperature and voltage.

Best for:

  • X7R: General-purpose decoupling where stability matters
  • Y5V: Where small size and very high capacitance are needed, and variation is acceptable

MLCC vs Electrolytic

A multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) is a surface mount component used in modern electronics for high-speed, low ESR applications. Electrolytics offer higher capacitance per volume but are polarized and slower. MLCCs are used in high-frequency decoupling, while electrolytics are better for bulk energy storage.

Best for:

  • MLCC: High-frequency filtering, decoupling, space-constrained PCBs
  • Electrolytic: Power supply smoothing, bulk capacitance