A nanofarad (nF) is a unit of capacitance in the metric system, equal to one billionth of a farad. Capacitance measures a component's ability to store electrical charge. Nanofarads are commonly used in electronic circuits, particularly in capacitors, which are essential for filtering, timing, and energy storage applications. In practical terms, a nanofarad is often used in small electronic devices, such as smartphones and computers, where space is limited. Capacitors with values in nanofarads help manage signals and power efficiently, contributing to the overall performance of devices like transistors and microcontrollers.