Cable Capacitance Calculator

Calculate high-frequency rolloff caused by cable capacitance with source impedance. Essential for guitar cables and long microphone runs.

Results

Visualization

How It Works

Cable capacitance forms a low-pass filter with the source impedance: f(-3dB) = 1/(2π·R·C). High-impedance sources (guitar pickups ~5-15 kΩ) are very sensitive — a 6m cable at 100 pF/m = 600 pF, giving f3dB ≈ 26.5 kHz at 10kΩ. Longer cables or higher-capacitance cables roll off highs more. Low-impedance sources (mic preamps, active DI) are nearly immune. Solutions: shorter cables, low-capacitance cable (<50 pF/m), active electronics (buffer/DI), or wireless. Typical capacitance: cheap cable 100-150 pF/m, quality cable 50-80 pF/m.