A hydrous ruthenic acid (H 0.2 RuO 2.1 •nH 2 O) possessing a layered structure with a crystalline framework was prepared by proton exchange of a layered potassium ruthenate. Its electrochemical capacitor behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry in various electrolytes. Specific capacitance up to 390 F g ͑RuO 2 )Ϫ1 at a scan rate of 50 mV s Ϫ1 , which is a ten-fold increase compared to conventional anhydrous RuO 2 , was obtained using layered ruthenic acid hydrate in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 electrolyte. Slightly lower values were obtained for 1 M HClO 4 and 1 M KOH electrolytes. The difference in the specific capacitance of anhydrous ruthenium oxide, hydrous ruthenium oxide, hydrous ruthenic acid, and restacked ruthenic acid nanosheets in the various electrolytes is discussed.