Resistor Color Code Calculator
Decode resistor color bands instantly. Supports 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band resistors with tolerance and temperature coefficient.
Resistor Color Code Calculator
Select band colors to calculate resistance
Selected: Brown
Selected: Black
Selected: Red
Selected: Gold
Calculated Value
Resistance
1.00 kΩ
1,000 Ω
Tolerance
±5%
Minimum
950.00 Ω
Maximum
1.05 kΩ
Shorthand: 1kΩ ±5%
How to Read
- • Hold the resistor with the tolerance band on the right
- • Read bands from left to right
- • Gold/Silver bands are always tolerance (never first digit)
- • 4-band resistors have 2 significant digits
Resistor Color Code Chart
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance | Temp Coef. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 0 | ×1 | — | 250 ppm/°C |
Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1% | 100 ppm/°C |
Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2% | 50 ppm/°C |
Orange | 3 | ×1k | ±0.05% | 15 ppm/°C |
Yellow | 4 | ×10k | ±0.02% | 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 |
Gray | 8 | ×100M | ±0.01% | 1 ppm/°C |
White | 9 | ×1G | — | — |
Gold | — | ×0.1 | ±5% | — |
Silver | — | ×0.01 | ±10% | — |
How to Read Resistor Color Codes
Understanding the Color Band System
Resistors use colored bands to indicate their resistance value, tolerance, and sometimes temperature coefficient. This system was developed because printing small numbers on tiny components is impractical, and colors are easier to read at any orientation.
4-Band Resistors
The most common type, 4-band resistors have two significant digits:
- Band 1: First significant digit (0-9)
- Band 2: Second significant digit (0-9)
- Band 3: Multiplier (power of 10)
- Band 4: Tolerance (typically Gold ±5% or Silver ±10%)
Example: Brown-Black-Red-Gold
Brown (1) + Black (0) = 10
Red multiplier = ×100
Result: 10 × 100 = 1000Ω (1kΩ) ±5%
5-Band Resistors
5-band resistors add a third significant digit for higher precision:
- Band 1: First significant digit
- Band 2: Second significant digit
- Band 3: Third significant digit
- Band 4: Multiplier
- Band 5: Tolerance (typically Brown ±1%)
Example: Brown-Black-Black-Brown-Brown
Brown (1) + Black (0) + Black (0) = 100
Brown multiplier = ×10
Result: 100 × 10 = 1000Ω (1kΩ) ±1%
6-Band Resistors
6-band resistors add a temperature coefficient band for applications where temperature stability is critical:
- Bands 1-3: Three significant digits
- Band 4: Multiplier
- Band 5: Tolerance
- Band 6: Temperature Coefficient (ppm/°C)
Mnemonic to Remember Color Codes
A popular mnemonic for remembering the order (0-9):"Better Be RightOr Your GreatBig Venture GoesWrong"
- Black = 0
- Brown = 1
- Red = 2
- Orange = 3
- Yellow = 4
- Green = 5
- Blue = 6
- Violet = 7
- Gray = 8
- White = 9
Tips for Reading Resistor Codes
- Identify the tolerance band first: Gold and Silver are always tolerance bands
- Start from the correct end: The first band is closest to one end
- Check common values: Resistors come in standard E-series values (E12, E24, E96)
- Use good lighting: Some colors (brown/red/orange) can look similar
- Verify with a multimeter: When in doubt, measure the actual resistance
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read a 4-band resistor color code?
A 4-band resistor has: Band 1 (1st digit), Band 2 (2nd digit), Band 3 (multiplier), Band 4 (tolerance). Read from the band closest to the edge. For example, Brown-Black-Red-Gold = 10 × 100 = 1000Ω (1kΩ) with ±5% tolerance.
What is the difference between 4-band and 5-band resistors?
4-band resistors have 2 significant digits and are less precise (typically ±5% or ±10% tolerance). 5-band resistors have 3 significant digits and are more precise (typically ±1% or ±2% tolerance). 5-band resistors are used when higher precision is required.
What do the resistor color codes mean?
Each color represents a number: Black=0, Brown=1, Red=2, Orange=3, Yellow=4, Green=5, Blue=6, Violet=7, Gray=8, White=9. For multipliers, each color represents a power of 10. Gold and Silver are used for tolerance (±5% and ±10%) and as multipliers (0.1 and 0.01).
Which end of a resistor do I start reading from?
Start reading from the end with the band closest to the edge. The tolerance band (usually Gold or Silver) is typically wider and placed on the opposite end. If unsure, the first band will be a value color (not Gold or Silver), and common values follow E-series standards.
What is the 6th band on a resistor?
The 6th band indicates the Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR), measured in ppm/°C. It shows how much the resistance changes with temperature. Brown = 100 ppm/°C, Red = 50 ppm/°C, Orange = 15 ppm/°C, Yellow = 25 ppm/°C. This is important for precision circuits where temperature stability matters.
What tolerance should I use for my circuit?
For general-purpose circuits, ±5% (Gold band) resistors are sufficient and most economical. For precision analog circuits, voltage dividers, or measurement applications, use ±1% (Brown band) or ±0.1% resistors. High-frequency or audio circuits may also benefit from tighter tolerances.
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