A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a multilayer body including ceramic layers that are laminated, first and second internal electrode layers respectively on the ceramic layers and exposed to first and second end surfaces, first and second external electrodes respectively connected to the first and second internal electrode layers. The first and second external electrodes include a base electrode layer including at least one of Ni, Cr, Cu, or Ti and a plating layer including lower, middle, and upper layer plating layers. A particle diameter of a metal included in the lower layer plating layer is larger than a particle diameter of a metal included in the middle layer plating layer.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body including dielectric ceramic layers and internal electrode layers laminated alternately in a lamination direction, and a pair of external electrodes on both end portions in the length direction of the multilayer body and respectively connected to the internal electrode layers. The pair of external electrodes each include a base region covering at least each of the first and second end surfaces and connected to the internal electrode layers, and a cover region on the base region to cover the base region. The cover region includes maximum thickness portions each including a maximum thickness in the cover region, in a region corresponding to the ranges of about ±10 μm in the lamination direction centered around internal electrode layers at both outermost ends in the lamination direction among the internal electrode layers.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body including dielectric ceramic layers and internal electrode layers laminated alternately in a lamination direction, and a pair of external electrodes on both end portions in the length direction of the multilayer body and respectively connected to the internal electrode layers. The pair of external electrodes each include a base region covering at least each of the first and second end surfaces and connected to the internal electrode layers, and a cover region on the base region to cover the base region. The cover region includes maximum thickness portions each including a maximum thickness in the cover region, in a region corresponding to the ranges of about ±10 μm in the lamination direction centered around internal electrode layers at both outermost ends in the lamination direction among the internal electrode layers.

A multi-layer ceramic electronic component includes (I) a ceramic body including (i) a protective portion that includes an end surface facing in a first direction, circumferential surfaces, and a ridge including a recess extending along the first direction and connects the circumferential surfaces, and (ii) a functional portion including internal electrodes laminated in a second direction, and (II) an external electrode including (i) a base film covering the end surface and including a first, second, and third covering portions formed on the end surface, on the circumferential surfaces, and on the recess, respectively, (ii) an intermediate film formed on the base film and continuously covering the first, second, and third covering portions, and (iii) a surface film formed on the intermediate film, wherein the recess is disposed outside end portions of the internal electrodes in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.

A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a multilayer body and an external electrode on each of both end surfaces of the multilayer body. The external electrode includes an underlying electrode layer and a plating layer that is disposed on the underlying electrode layer. The underlying electrode layer includes Ni as a first metal component, Sn as a second metal component, and a ceramic material, and includes an alloy portion that is provided around the ceramic material and includes an alloyed Ni defining the first metal component and an alloyed Sn defining the second metal component.

A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a multilayer body and an external electrode on each of both end surfaces of the multilayer body. The external electrode includes an underlying electrode layer and a plating layer that is disposed on the underlying electrode layer. The underlying electrode layer includes Ni as a first metal component, Sn as a second metal component, and a ceramic material, and includes an alloy portion that is provided around the ceramic material and includes an alloyed Ni defining the first metal component and an alloyed Sn defining the second metal component.

A multi-layer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including first and second main surfaces facing in a first axis direction, first and second end surfaces facing in a second axis direction, and first and second internal electrodes; a first external electrode including a first cover portion covering the first end surface, and a first extended portion extending from the first cover portion to the second main surface; and a second external electrode including a second cover portion covering the second end surface, and a second extended portion extending from the second cover portion to the second main surface, the multi-layer ceramic electronic component satisfying that, when T.sub.1 represents a dimension of the ceramic body in the first axis direction and T.sub.2 represents a dimension of each extended portion in the first axis direction, T.sub.1+T.sub.2 is 50 μm or less, and T.sub.2/(T.sub.1+T.sub.2) is 0.32 or less.

A multi-layer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including first and second main surfaces facing in a first axis direction, first and second end surfaces facing in a second axis direction, and first and second internal electrodes; a first external electrode including a first cover portion covering the first end surface, and a first extended portion extending from the first cover portion to the second main surface; and a second external electrode including a second cover portion covering the second end surface, and a second extended portion extending from the second cover portion to the second main surface, the multi-layer ceramic electronic component satisfying that, when T.sub.1 represents a dimension of the ceramic body in the first axis direction and T.sub.2 represents a dimension of each extended portion in the first axis direction, T.sub.1+T.sub.2 is 50 μm or less, and T.sub.2/(T.sub.1+T.sub.2) is 0.32 or less.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body including dielectric layers and internal electrode layers, first and second external electrodes provided on respective opposing end surfaces, and third and fourth external electrodes provided on any side surface. The internal electrode layers include first and second internal electrode layers connected to the first and second external electrodes, respectively, and third and fourth internal electrode layers connected to the third and fourth external electrodes, respectively. The third internal electrode layer is provided at a distance from the first internal electrode layer, and the fourth internal electrode layer is provided at a distance from the second internal electrode layer.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body including dielectric layers and internal electrode layers, first and second external electrodes provided on respective opposing end surfaces, and third and fourth external electrodes provided on any side surface. The internal electrode layers include first and second internal electrode layers connected to the first and second external electrodes, respectively, and third and fourth internal electrode layers connected to the third and fourth external electrodes, respectively. The third internal electrode layer is provided at a distance from the first internal electrode layer, and the fourth internal electrode layer is provided at a distance from the second internal electrode layer.