🎨 Resistor Color Code Calculator

Select resistor color bands to calculate resistance (Ω) and tolerance.

Band 1 (Significant Digit)

Brown — 1

Band 2 (Significant Digit)

Black — 0

Band 3 (Multiplier)

Red — ×100

Band 4 (Tolerance)

Gold — ±5%

Resistance

1 kΩ

Tolerance

±5%

Resistance Range

950 Ω ~ 1.05 kΩ

Resistor Color Code Chart

Color	Significant Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance	Temp. Coefficient (ppm/°C)
Black	0	×1	—	250
Brown	1	×10	±1%	100
Red	2	×100	±2%	50
Orange	3	×1k	—	15
Yellow	4	×10k	—	25
Green	5	×100k	±0.5%	20
Blue	6	×1M	±0.25%	10
Violet	7	×10M	±0.1%	5
Grey	8	×100M	±0.05%	1
White	9	×1G	—	—
Gold	—	×0.1	±5%	—
Silver	—	×0.01	±10%	—

What is a Resistor Color Code?

Color bands (stripes) printed on a resistor represent specific digits. A 4-band resistor uses 2 significant digits + multiplier + tolerance. A 5-band uses 3 significant digits + multiplier + tolerance. A 6-band adds a temperature coefficient.

How to Read Color Bands

The tolerance band (gold or silver) is on the right. Read bands from left to right and use the chart below to calculate the resistance value.

Color Mnemonic (Black Brown Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Violet Grey White)

0BlackBad

1BrownBoys

2RedRace

3OrangeOur

4YellowYoung

5GreenGirls

6BlueBut

7VioletViolet

8GreyGenerally

9WhiteWins

Resistance Calculation Formula

4-Band: Resistance = (1st digit × 10 + 2nd digit) × Multiplier

5-Band: Resistance = (1st × 100 + 2nd × 10 + 3rd) × Multiplier

Frequently Asked Questions

What do gold and silver bands mean?: Gold means ±5% tolerance and silver means ±10% tolerance. These bands are typically used only as tolerance bands.
What is the difference between 4-band and 5-band resistors?: A 4-band resistor uses 2 significant digits and a 5-band uses 3. Precision resistors typically use 5 or 6 bands.
What does temperature coefficient (ppm/°C) mean?: It indicates how much the resistance changes per 1°C temperature change. A smaller value means more temperature-stable resistance.