Resistor Color Code Calculator

Decode 4, 5, and 6-band resistor color codes to resistance and tolerance.

How to Read Resistor Bands

Resistors use colored bands to encode their resistance value, tolerance and (for precision parts) temperature coefficient. The first bands are significant digits, followed by a multiplier band, a tolerance band and optionally a temperature coefficient band.

  • 4-band: digit, digit, multiplier, tolerance
  • 5-band: digit, digit, digit, multiplier, tolerance
  • 6-band: digit, digit, digit, multiplier, tolerance, temperature coefficient

Color Code Table

Color Digit Multiplier Tolerance Temp. Coeff.
Black0×1——
Brown1×10±1%100
Red2×100±2%50
Orange3×1k—15
Yellow4×10k—25
Green5×100k±0.5%—
Blue6×1M±0.25%10
Violet7×10M±0.1%5
Grey8×100M±0.05%—
White9×1G——
Gold—×0.1±5%—
Silver—×0.01±10%—

Reading Direction Tips

  • Hold the resistor with the tolerance band (often gold or silver) on the right.
  • Read from left to right, starting with the significant digit bands.
  • The tolerance band usually has a wider gap separating it from the value bands.
  • When in doubt, measure the resistor with a multimeter to confirm.

Note: This calculator follows standard EIA resistor color code conventions. Always verify critical values with a multimeter, as manufacturing variations and non-standard markings may occur.