Resistor Color Code Calculator
Decode 4-band and 5-band resistor color codes to find resistance and tolerance.
Resistance Value
1 kΩ
±5%
Minimum
950 Ω
Maximum
1.05 kΩ
In ohms
1000 Ω
Band count
4-band
Tolerance range: 950 Ω to 1.05 kΩ
All calculations run live in your browser using standard IEC 60062 color code values.
What Is the Resistor Color Code Calculator?
The IEC 60062 resistor color code uses colored bands to encode resistance value and tolerance on small resistors where printed numbers would be illegible. This calculator decodes 4-band and 5-band resistors and shows the visual resistor body with a live colored-band diagram.
- ›4-band: 2 digit bands + 1 multiplier + 1 tolerance, most common for E12/E24 values
- ›5-band: 3 digit bands + 1 multiplier + 1 tolerance, used for 1% and 2% precision resistors
- ›Read from left to right; the tolerance band (gold/silver) is always on the right
- ›The minimum and maximum resistance values shown account for the full tolerance range
Formula
IEC 60062 Color Code, Reading Rules
4-band
(D1×10 + D2) × Multiplier ± Tol%
5-band
(D1×100 + D2×10 + D3) × Mult ± Tol%
Digit bands
Black=0 … White=9 (BBROYGBVGW)
Multiplier
Black=×1, Brown=×10, Red=×100 …
Gold/Silver mult
Gold=×0.1, Silver=×0.01
Tolerance 4-band
Gold=±5%, Silver=±10%, None=±20%
How to Use
- 1Choose 4-Band or 5-Band mode using the toggle at the top
- 2Select each band color from its dropdown, left to right as on the physical resistor
- 3Read the colored resistor diagram to confirm your band selections visually
- 4The resistance value, tolerance, and min/max range update instantly
- 5Use Reset to return to default (Brown-Black-Red-Gold = 1kΩ ±5%)
Example Calculation
4-band: Yellow, Violet, Red, Gold:
Band 2 (Violet) = 7
Band 3 (Red) = ×100 multiplier
Band 4 (Gold) = ±5% tolerance
R = (4×10 + 7) × 100 = 4,700 Ω = 4.7 kΩ
Range: 4,465 Ω – 4,935 Ω
5-band example: Brown-Black-Black-Red-Brown
D1=1, D2=0, D3=0, ×100 (Red), ±1% (Brown)
R = (1×100 + 0×10 + 0) × 100 = 10,000 Ω = 10 kΩ ±1%
Understanding Resistor Color Code
Color Band Reference (Digit & Multiplier)
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×1 | — |
| Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1% |
| Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2% |
| Orange | 3 | ×1k | — |
| Yellow | 4 | ×10k | — |
| Green | 5 | ×100k | ±0.5% |
| Blue | 6 | ×1M | ±0.25% |
| Violet | 7 | ×10M | ±0.1% |
| Gray | 8 | — | — |
| White | 9 | — | — |
| Gold | — | ×0.1 | ±5% |
| Silver | — | ×0.01 | ±10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the resistor color code?
Colors were chosen because they remain visible after soldering and can be read from any angle. The system dates to the 1920s and is still the global standard for through-hole resistors.
- ›Mnemonic: "Bad Boys Race Our Young Girls But Violet Generally Wins" (Black→White=0→9)
- ›Digit band colors: Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Gray, White
- ›Gold and Silver are used only as multiplier (×0.1, ×0.01) or tolerance bands
- ›The tolerance band is on the far right, usually wider and spaced apart
How do I tell which end to read from?
Orientation rules help when the color code is ambiguous:
- ›Gold or Silver as the first band is impossible (they are only multiplier or tolerance)
- ›The tolerance band is often slightly wider or spaced apart
- ›For 5-band resistors, the tolerance side often has a gap before the 5th band
- ›When in doubt, test both readings with a multimeter to confirm
What do tolerance bands mean?
A 1kΩ ±5% (gold) resistor measures between 950Ω and 1050Ω. For precision circuits, choose ±1% (brown, 5-band) or better.
- ›Gold (±5%): most common for general-purpose circuits
- ›Brown (±1%): used in precision circuits, op-amp networks, filter design
- ›Green (±0.5%), Blue (±0.25%), Violet (±0.1%): high precision, 5-band only
- ›None (±20%): old/cheap resistors; rarely seen today
What is the difference between 4-band and 5-band resistors?
The extra digit band in 5-band resistors enables E96 series values (96 values per decade) for precision designs.
- ›4-band: E12/E24 values (12 or 24 per decade), general purpose
- ›5-band: E96/E192 values, precision circuits, active filters, instrumentation
- ›5-band tolerance bands include: Brown(±1%), Red(±2%), Green(±0.5%), Blue(±0.25%), Violet(±0.1%)
- ›The same physical size can be 4-band or 5-band, count the bands
What are gold and silver multiplier bands used for?
Low-value resistors appear in current sensing, motor control, and power measurement circuits where very small resistances are needed.
- ›Gold multiplier: resistances from 0.1Ω to 9.9Ω
- ›Silver multiplier: resistances from 0.01Ω to 0.99Ω
- ›Example: Orange-Orange-Silver = 0.33Ω, a common current-sense value
- ›Do not confuse Gold/Silver multiplier with Gold/Silver tolerance
Are there surface mount (SMD) resistor codes?
Surface mount resistors are too small for color bands, so they use compact printed codes on the component body (only visible under magnification on small sizes).
- ›3-digit code: first 2 = significant digits, last = power of 10 multiplier
- ›4-digit code: first 3 = significant digits, last = power of 10 multiplier
- ›Letter "R" replaces decimal point: 4R7 = 4.7Ω, R47 = 0.47Ω
- ›EIA-96 code uses 2 digits + letter for E96 series values
What does the tolerance range show?
Manufacturing processes produce resistors whose actual values fall within the stated tolerance window. The range helps you assess if the component is suitable for your circuit.
- ›Min = nominal × (1 − tolerance/100)
- ›Max = nominal × (1 + tolerance/100)
- ›For ±5% tolerance: actual value is within 5% of marked value
- ›Choose ±1% or better for circuits sensitive to exact resistance values