Resistors
Resistors are the most common passive components, used to limit current, divide voltage and set signal levels. They obey Ohm's law and appear in almost every electronic circuit.
🔍 Search Resistors partsCompare live price and stock across distributors for this category.
SMD (chip), carbon film, metal film, wirewound and power resistors are the main types. Resistance value (ohms), tolerance (1%, 5%), power rating (watts) and temperature coefficient matter when choosing one. Current limiting, pull-up/pull-down, voltage dividers and signal termination are the most common uses.
Featured Resistors
See all Resistors →Popular in-catalog parts in this category — compare price and stock across distributors.
Top manufacturers
All manufacturers →Leading manufacturers known for Resistors — explore their component lineup.
Learn about Resistors
Free, in-depth guides explaining how these components work and where they're used.
In-depth guides for this category are on the way.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a resistor's value from its color code?+
On a four-band resistor the first two bands give the digits, the third the multiplier and the fourth the tolerance. For example brown-black-red-gold = 1 kΩ ±5%.
Why does a resistor's wattage rating matter?+
If the power dissipated exceeds the wattage rating, the resistor overheats and can burn out. Power = current² × resistance; a rating of at least twice the calculated value is typical.
What is the difference between SMD and through-hole resistors?+
SMD resistors are tiny, suited to automated assembly and mass production; through-hole resistors are hand-soldered and preferred for prototyping and higher-power use.