Productive ToolboxResistor Color Code Calculator
Decode resistor color bands into resistance values and tolerance. Supports 4, 5, and 6 band resistors with instant results.
Resistor Color Code Calculator
Decode resistor color bands into resistance values and tolerance. Supports 4, 5, and 6 band resistors.
Actions
Resistor Type
Color Bands
Visual Preview
Common Values
Related tools
About Resistor Color Code Calculator
The Resistor Color Code Calculator is a fast, online tool that helps you decode resistor color bands into resistance values and tolerance levels instantly. Whether you're working with 4-band, 5-band, or 6-band resistors, this calculator provides accurate results with step-by-step explanations.
Perfect for electronics students, electrical engineers, hobbyists, and repair technicians, this tool eliminates the need for manual lookup charts and reduces errors when reading resistor values.
How to Use the Calculator
- 1Choose the band count: Select 4, 5 or 6 bands to match your resistor.
- 2Pick the colors: Choose the color of each band from left to right, starting at the end farther from the gold or silver band.
- 3Read the value: See the resistance, tolerance range and, for 6 bands, the temperature coefficient.
- 4Check with examples: Load a common value such as 1 kΩ or 10 kΩ to see how its bands look.
Resistor Color Code Chart
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance | Temp Coeff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×1 | - | - |
| Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1% | 100 ppm |
| Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2% | 50 ppm |
| Orange | 3 | ×1k | - | 15 ppm |
| Yellow | 4 | ×10k | - | 25 ppm |
| Green | 5 | ×100k | ±0.5% | - |
| Blue | 6 | ×1M | ±0.25% | - |
| Violet | 7 | ×10M | ±0.1% | - |
| Gray | 8 | ×100M | ±0.05% | - |
| White | 9 | ×1G | - | - |
| Gold | - | ×0.1 | ±5% | - |
| Silver | - | ×0.01 | ±10% | - |
| None | - | - | ±20% | - |
Understanding Resistor Bands
📊 4-Band Resistors
Formula: (Band1 × 10 + Band2) × Multiplier ± Tolerance
Most common type. First two bands are digits, third is multiplier, fourth is tolerance.
📊 5-Band Resistors
Formula: (Band1 × 100 + Band2 × 10 + Band3) × Multiplier ± Tolerance
Precision resistors. First three bands are digits, fourth is multiplier, fifth is tolerance.
📊 6-Band Resistors
Formula: Same as 5-band + Temperature Coefficient
High-precision resistors. Includes temperature coefficient band for temperature stability specification.
Common Resistor Values
Key Features
Instant Calculation
Real-time results as you select colors with no delays
Visual Preview
See resistor with color bands applied dynamically
Multiple Formats
Supports 4, 5, and 6 band resistor configurations
History & Export
Save calculations and export detailed reports
Mobile Friendly
Responsive design works on all devices
Privacy First
Your inputs are not collected or stored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read a resistor color code?
Read from the end opposite the tolerance band. On a 4-band resistor the first two bands are digits, the third is the multiplier and the fourth the tolerance: brown, black, red, gold is 10 × 100 = 1,000 Ω (1 kΩ) ±5%. Yellow, violet, orange, gold is 47 kΩ.
What do the colors stand for?
Digits: black 0, brown 1, red 2, orange 3, yellow 4, green 5, blue 6, violet 7, gray 8, white 9. Gold and silver as multipliers mean × 0.1 and × 0.01; as tolerance, ±5% and ±10%.
What is the difference between 4, 5 and 6 bands?
5-band resistors have three digit bands for precision values, such as brown, black, black, brown, brown = 100 × 10 = 1 kΩ ±1%. 6-band resistors add a temperature coefficient band in ppm/K.
What does tolerance mean?
How far the real value may be from the marked value. A 1 kΩ ±5% resistor measures between 950 Ω and 1,050 Ω.
Which way round do I read it?
The tolerance band (often gold or silver) is usually set slightly apart, on the right. If you are unsure, measure the resistor with a multimeter out of circuit.
Tips for Reading Resistors
- •Look for the tolerance band (gold/silver) to identify which end to start reading from
- •Use good lighting - some colors like brown and violet can be hard to distinguish
- •If unsure, use a multimeter to verify the resistance value
- •Clean resistors if they're dusty or oxidized for better color visibility
- •Remember: Black=0, Brown=1, Red=2, Orange=3, Yellow=4, Green=5, Blue=6, Violet=7, Gray=8, White=9
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