Resistor Color Code Calculator
Decode resistor color bands to find resistance value and tolerance
How Resistor Color Codes Work
Understanding Color Bands
Resistors use colored bands to indicate their resistance value and tolerance. Each color represents a specific number or multiplier. Reading from left to right, the bands tell you the resistance in ohms.
4-Band Resistors
Band 1 & 2: First and second significant digits
Band 3: Multiplier (number of zeros)
Band 4: Tolerance (accuracy)
5-Band Resistors
Band 1, 2 & 3: First, second, and third significant digits
Band 4: Multiplier (number of zeros)
Band 5: Tolerance (accuracy)
Color Values
Black = 0, Brown = 1, Red = 2, Orange = 3, Yellow = 4, Green = 5, Blue = 6, Violet = 7, Gray = 8, White = 9
Tolerance Ratings
Gold: ±5%
Silver: ±10%
Brown: ±1%
Red: ±2%
None: ±20%
Example Calculation
A resistor with bands: Brown, Black, Red, Gold
Brown = 1, Black = 0, Red = ×100, Gold = ±5%
Resistance = 10 × 100 = 1,000Ω or 1kΩ ±5%