Resistor Color Code

Decode resistor values quickly and accurately with our comprehensive guide, interactive calculator, and color code chart. Perfect for electronics students, hobbyists, and professionals.

Brown-Black-Red-Gold → 1 kΩ ±5%

Green-Blue-Yellow-Silver → 560 kΩ ±10%

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Resistor Color Code Calculator

Number of Bands:

1st Band (1st Digit):

2nd Band (2nd Digit):

3rd Band (Multiplier):

4th Band (Tolerance):

Resistor Preview

Resistance Value

Note: Hold the resistor with the tolerance band (typically gold or silver) on the right to correctly read the color code.

Resistor Color Code Chart

Color	Digit Value	Multiplier	Tolerance	Temp. Coefficient
Black	0	×1	-	250 ppm/°C
Brown	1	×10	±1%	100 ppm/°C
Red	2	×100	±2%	50 ppm/°C
Orange	3	×1K	-	15 ppm/°C
Yellow	4	×10K	-	25 ppm/°C
Green	5	×100K	±0.5%	20 ppm/°C
Blue	6	×1M	±0.25%	10 ppm/°C
Violet	7	×10M	±0.1%	5 ppm/°C
Grey	8	×100M	±0.05%	1 ppm/°C
White	9	×1G	-	-
Gold	-	×0.1	±5%	-
Silver	-	×0.01	±10%	-
None	-	-	±20%	-

How to Read Resistor Color Codes

4-Band Resistors

4-band resistors are the most common type you'll encounter. Here's how to read them:

Orientation: Hold the resistor with the gold or silver tolerance band to the right.
First band: The first digit of the resistance value.
Second band: The second digit of the resistance value.
Third band: The multiplier (power of 10).
Fourth band: The tolerance (accuracy) of the resistor.

Example: Brown-Black-Red-Gold

First band (Brown) = 1
Second band (Black) = 0
Third band (Red) = ×100
Fourth band (Gold) = ±5%
Result: 1,000 Ω or 1 kΩ ±5%

5-Band and 6-Band Resistors

5-band and 6-band resistors provide more precision and additional information:

5-Band Resistors:

First three bands: Three significant digits
Fourth band: Multiplier
Fifth band: Tolerance

Example: Green-Blue-Black-Orange-Brown

First band (Green) = 5
Second band (Blue) = 6
Third band (Black) = 0
Fourth band (Orange) = ×1,000
Fifth band (Brown) = ±1%
Result: 560,000 Ω or 560 kΩ ±1%

6-Band Resistors:

First three bands: Three significant digits
Fourth band: Multiplier
Fifth band: Tolerance
Sixth band: Temperature coefficient (ppm/°C)

Example: Red-Red-Black-Brown-Brown-Red

First band (Red) = 2
Second band (Red) = 2
Third band (Black) = 0
Fourth band (Brown) = ×10
Fifth band (Brown) = ±1%
Sixth band (Red) = 50 ppm/°C
Result: 220 Ω ±1% with 50 ppm/°C

Tips for Reading Resistor Color Codes

•
Orientation matters: Always hold the resistor with the gold/silver band (or the band spaced farther apart) to the right.
•
Common values: Resistors typically come in standard values (e.g., 100 Ω, 1 kΩ, 10 kΩ). If your calculated value seems unusual, double-check your reading.
•
Color mnemonics: Some people use mnemonics to remember the color sequence, like "BB ROY G BIV" for Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo (Violet).
•
Use a calculator: When in doubt, use a resistor color code calculator like the one on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resistor Color Codes

What do the colored bands on a resistor mean?

The colored bands on a resistor form a code that indicates its resistance value, tolerance, and sometimes temperature coefficient. In a standard 4-band resistor, the first two bands represent the first two digits of the resistance value, the third band is a multiplier, and the fourth band indicates the tolerance. 5 and 6-band resistors include additional information like temperature coefficient or reliability.

How do I read a 4-band resistor color code?

To read a 4-band resistor color code: 1) Hold the resistor with the gold/silver band to the right, 2) The first band is the first digit, 3) The second band is the second digit, 4) The third band is the multiplier (power of 10), 5) The fourth band indicates tolerance. For example, if the bands are brown, black, red, gold, the value is 1, 0, × 10², or 1,000 ohms (1 kΩ) with ±5% tolerance.

What is the difference between 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band resistors?

The main differences between resistor band types are the precision and additional information they provide. 4-band resistors show the first two digits, multiplier, and tolerance. 5-band resistors add a third digit before the multiplier, allowing for more precise values. 6-band resistors include all of that plus a temperature coefficient band, which indicates how much the resistance changes with temperature.

What does the tolerance band on a resistor mean?

The tolerance band indicates the maximum percentage by which the actual resistance might vary from the specified value. For example, a 100 Ω resistor with a ±5% tolerance (gold band) could have an actual resistance anywhere between 95 Ω and 105 Ω. Common tolerance bands include gold (±5%), silver (±10%), brown (±1%), and red (±2%). Higher precision resistors (with tighter tolerances like ±1% or ±0.5%) are used in applications requiring more accurate resistance values.

Why are resistor values standardized?

Resistor values are standardized to reduce manufacturing costs and inventory requirements while still providing sufficient options for circuit design. They follow what's called the "E series" (E12, E24, E96, etc.), where the number indicates how many values are available per decade. For example, in the common E24 series, there are 24 standard values for each power of 10 (like 10 Ω, 11 Ω, 12 Ω, ..., 82 Ω, 91 Ω). These standardized values, combined with the tolerance, provide enough coverage for most electronic designs without needing to manufacture every possible resistance value.

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