Resistor Color Code Calculator
Pick the color bands to instantly get the resistance (Ω) and tolerance. Supports 4, 5 and 6-band resistors.
Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for general informational and educational purposes only, on an “as is” basis and without any warranty of accuracy or fitness for a particular purpose. Results may contain errors — always verify independently before relying on them in real designs. PartAndStock accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from use of this tool, including when embedded on third-party sites.
How to use
- 1Select the number of bands on your resistor (4, 5 or 6).
- 2Hold the resistor so the tolerance band (usually gold or silver, often slightly spaced) is on the right.
- 3Pick each band's color from left to right from its menu; the value and tolerance are calculated instantly.
How it works
Select the colored bands on your resistor to instantly find its resistance value, tolerance and temperature coefficient.
How the color code works
The color code is an international standard (IEC 60062) that shows the value of resistors too small to print numbers on, using colored bands. Each color maps to a digit, a multiplier or a tolerance percentage. The first bands are the significant digits, the multiplier band is the power of ten, and the last band is the manufacturing tolerance.
Tips and common mistakes
The most common mistake is reading the resistor backwards: use the tolerance band (gold/silver) as a reference and always keep it on the right. On precise 5-band resistors the first THREE bands are digits — don't confuse them with 4-band. Colors can fade on old or overheated resistors, so verify with a multimeter if unsure.
Worked examples
- Brown–Black–Red–Gold (4-band): 10 × 100 = 1,000 Ω = 1 kΩ ±5%
- Red–Red–Brown–Gold (4-band): 22 × 10 = 220 Ω ±5%
- Brown–Black–Black–Brown–Brown (5-band): 100 × 10 = 1,000 Ω = 1 kΩ ±1%
Resistor Color Code Chart
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×1 | — |
| Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1% |
| Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2% |
| Orange | 3 | ×1 k | — |
| Yellow | 4 | ×10 k | — |
| Green | 5 | ×100 k | ±0.5% |
| Blue | 6 | ×1 M | ±0.25% |
| Violet | 7 | ×10 M | ±0.1% |
| Gray | 8 | ×100 M | ±0.05% |
| White | 9 | ×1 G | — |
| Gold | — | ×0.1 | ±5% |
| Silver | — | ×0.01 | ±10% |