Resistor Color Code Calculator
Decode resistor color codes and convert resistance values to color bands. Supports 4, 5, and 6-band resistors. Perfect for electronics students, hobbyists, and engineers.
What Is a Resistor Color Code?
Resistor color codes are a system of colored bands painted on resistors to indicate their resistance value, tolerance, and sometimes temperature coefficient. This system allows the value of a resistor to be determined visually without needing to measure it with a multimeter.
The standard resistor color code uses:
- 4-Band Resistors: 2 significant digits, 1 multiplier, 1 tolerance.
- 5-Band Resistors: 3 significant digits, 1 multiplier, 1 tolerance.
- 6-Band Resistors: 3 significant digits, 1 multiplier, 1 tolerance, 1 temperature coefficient.
Color Code Chart:
Digits: Black(0), Brown(1), Red(2), Orange(3), Yellow(4), Green(5), Blue(6), Violet(7), Gray(8), White(9)
Multipliers: Black(×1), Brown(×10), Red(×100), Orange(×1k), Yellow(×10k), Green(×100k), Blue(×1M), Gold(×0.1), Silver(×0.01)
Tolerance: Brown(±1%), Red(±2%), Green(±0.5%), Blue(±0.25%), Violet(±0.1%), Gold(±5%), Silver(±10%)
How Does the Resistor Color Code Calculator Work?
The calculator supports two modes:
- Decode Mode: Select the colors of each band to determine the resistance value, tolerance, and temperature coefficient.
- Encode Mode: Enter a resistance value to find the corresponding color bands for a 4, 5, or 6-band resistor.
The calculator uses the standard color code chart to map colors to digits, multipliers, tolerance, and temperature coefficient values.
Why Use This Resistor Color Code Calculator?
- Two Modes: Decode colors to value and encode value to colors.
- Multiple Band Support: Handles 4, 5, and 6-band resistors.
- Visual Display: Shows a visual representation of the resistor with colored bands.
- Reference Chart: Includes a complete color code reference table.
- Free & Private: No registration, no data storage.
❓ Resistor Color Code FAQ
What is a resistor color code?
A resistor color code is a system of colored bands on resistors that indicate their resistance value, tolerance, and temperature coefficient. Each color corresponds to a specific number or multiplier.
How do I read a 4-band resistor?
For a 4-band resistor: the first two bands are significant digits, the third band is the multiplier, and the fourth band is the tolerance. For example, Brown-Black-Red-Gold = 10 × 100 = 1000 Ω ±5%.
How do I read a 5-band resistor?
For a 5-band resistor: the first three bands are significant digits, the fourth band is the multiplier, and the fifth band is the tolerance. For example, Brown-Black-Black-Red-Gold = 100 × 100 = 10,000 Ω ±5%.
How do I read a 6-band resistor?
A 6-band resistor has the same bands as a 5-band resistor plus a sixth band for the temperature coefficient. For example, Brown-Black-Black-Red-Gold-Brown = 100 × 100 = 10,000 Ω ±5% with a 100 ppm/°C temperature coefficient.
What do the resistor color bands mean?
The first bands represent significant digits. The next band is the multiplier (power of 10). The tolerance band indicates the precision of the resistor. The sixth band (if present) indicates the temperature coefficient.
What is the color code for a 100 ohm resistor?
A 100 ohm resistor with 4 bands: Brown (1), Black (0), Brown (×10), Gold (±5%). With 5 bands: Brown (1), Black (0), Black (0), Black (×1), Gold (±5%).
What is the color code for a 10k ohm resistor?
A 10k ohm resistor (10,000 Ω) with 4 bands: Brown (1), Black (0), Orange (×1,000), Gold (±5%). With 5 bands: Brown (1), Black (0), Black (0), Red (×100), Gold (±5%).
What is the color code for a 1M ohm resistor?
A 1M ohm resistor (1,000,000 Ω) with 4 bands: Brown (1), Black (0), Green (×100,000), Gold (±5%). With 5 bands: Brown (1), Black (0), Black (0), Green (×100,000), Gold (±5%).
What are the tolerance colors for resistors?
Common tolerance colors: Brown (±1%), Red (±2%), Gold (±5%), Silver (±10%), Green (±0.5%), Blue (±0.25%), Violet (±0.1%), Gray (±0.05%).
What is the difference between a 4-band and 5-band resistor?
A 4-band resistor has 2 significant digits. A 5-band resistor has 3 significant digits for higher precision. The 5-band resistor provides more accurate resistance values.
What is the temperature coefficient on a 6-band resistor?
The temperature coefficient (sixth band) indicates how much the resistance changes with temperature, measured in ppm/°C (parts per million per degree Celsius). Common values are 100, 50, 15, 25, 10, 5, and 1 ppm/°C.
How do I identify the first band on a resistor?
The first band is usually the one closest to one end of the resistor. The tolerance band (gold or silver) is typically further from the end. On 5-band resistors, the first band is closest to the end.
What is the color code for a 220 ohm resistor?
A 220 ohm resistor with 4 bands: Red (2), Red (2), Brown (×10), Gold (±5%). With 5 bands: Red (2), Red (2), Black (0), Black (×1), Gold (±5%).
What is the color code for a 4.7k ohm resistor?
A 4.7k ohm resistor (4,700 Ω) with 4 bands: Yellow (4), Violet (7), Red (×100), Gold (±5%). With 5 bands: Yellow (4), Violet (7), Black (0), Brown (×10), Gold (±5%).
What does the multiplier band do?
The multiplier band tells you how many zeros to add to the significant digits. For example, a multiplier of Red (×100) means multiply the significant digits by 100. A multiplier of Gold (×0.1) means divide by 10.
Can I use this calculator for SMD resistors?
This calculator is designed for through-hole resistors with color bands. SMD resistors use a different numbering system (three or four digits) and are not supported by this calculator.
What is the resistor color code mnemonic?
A common mnemonic is "Big Boys Race Our Young Girls But Violet Generally Wins" for Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Gray, White. There are many variations to help remember the color order.