Resistor Color Code Chart
Select Band Colors Above
Choose the color of each band on your resistor to instantly see the resistance value, tolerance range, and a live diagram.
Complete Color Code Reference Table
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance | Letter | Temp Coeff (ppm/°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 0 | ×1 | — | — | 250 |
Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1% | F | 100 |
Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2% | G | 50 |
Orange | 3 | ×1k | ±0.05% | W | 15 |
Yellow | 4 | ×10k | ±0.02% | P | 25 |
Green | 5 | ×100k | ±0.5% | D | 20 |
Blue | 6 | ×1M | ±0.25% | C | 10 |
Violet | 7 | ×10M | ±0.1% | B | 5 |
Grey | 8 | ×100M | ±0.01% | L | 1 |
White | 9 | ×1G | — | — | — |
Gold | — | ×0.1 | ±5% | J | — |
Silver | — | ×0.01 | ±10% | K | — |
None (±20%) | — | — | ±20% | M | — |
IEC 60062 standard. First digit band never uses Black (0). Gold/Silver valid for Multiplier and Tolerance only.
Parallel & Series Calculator
Enter resistance values in ohms (Ω) separated by commas. Minimum 2 values required.
SMD Resistor Code Decoder
Decode 3-digit (472), 4-digit (4701), or letter-notation (4R7, 4K7) SMD resistor codes.
Quick Reference Examples
How to Use This Calculator
Select Number of Bands
Choose 3-band, 4-band, 5-band, or 6-band mode at the top of the input card. Most general-purpose resistors are 4-band. Precision resistors are typically 5-band. Temperature-stable precision types use 6 bands.
Select Each Band Color
Pick the color of each band on your physical resistor using the dropdowns. Read from left to right — the tolerance band (usually Gold or Silver) should be on the right. If Gold or Silver appears on the left, flip the resistor and re-read.
Read Your Results
The resistance value, tolerance percentage, IEC letter code, and minimum/maximum resistance values appear instantly. The live resistor diagram updates to match your selection. Use the tolerance range bar to visualize the acceptable value span.
Use Reverse Lookup or SMD Decoder
Switch to 'Value to Color' mode to find color bands for a known resistance value. Use the SMD Decoder section to decode surface-mount codes like '472' (4.7 kΩ) or '4R7' (4.7 Ω). The Parallel and Series section calculates combined resistance from multiple resistors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which end of the resistor to read first?
Read the resistor from the end where the bands are closest together. The tolerance band (Gold, Silver, or occasionally Brown/Red/Green) is always at the opposite end, often with a slightly wider gap separating it from the other bands. If you see Gold or Silver as the first band, you are reading it backwards. Flip the resistor and start from the other end. On 5-band and 6-band precision resistors, the convention is the same — the wider gap before the tolerance band identifies the right end. When in doubt, try both orientations and choose the one that gives a standard E-series resistor value.
What is the difference between 4-band and 5-band resistors?
A 4-band resistor has two significant digit bands, one multiplier band, and one tolerance band. It can represent values in two-digit precision — for example, 47 × 1,000 = 47 kΩ. A 5-band resistor adds a third significant digit, giving three-digit precision — for example, 470 × 100 = 47,000 Ω = 47 kΩ, but could also represent 471, 472, etc. Five-band resistors are typically precision types with tight tolerances (±1%, ±0.5%, or better). Six-band resistors add a sixth band for temperature coefficient, indicating how stable the resistance is over temperature changes, which matters in precision instrumentation and RF circuits.
What does the tolerance band tell me, and which tolerance should I choose?
The tolerance band tells you the maximum allowable deviation from the marked resistance value. A Gold band (±5%) means a 10 kΩ resistor could be anywhere from 9,500 Ω to 10,500 Ω. Silver (±10%) allows even more variation. Brown (±1%) and Red (±2%) bands indicate precision resistors. For general circuits like LED current limiting, motor driving, or pull-up/pull-down resistors, ±5% or ±10% is fine. For precision analog circuits, sensor conditioning, audio amplifiers, or any application where the exact resistance matters, use ±1% (Brown) or better. Precision resistors cost only slightly more in small quantities and are worth specifying when accuracy matters.
What is an SMD resistor code and how do I decode it?
Surface-mount (SMD) resistors are too small for color bands, so they use printed numeric or alphanumeric codes. A 3-digit code like '472' means: first two digits (47) are significant digits, third digit (2) is the number of zeros, so 47 × 100 = 4,700 Ω = 4.7 kΩ. A 4-digit code like '4701' means: first three digits (470) are significant, last digit (1) adds one zero = 4,700 Ω. Letter-notation codes use R, K, or M as a decimal point: '4R7' = 4.7 Ω, '4K7' = 4.7 kΩ, '4M7' = 4.7 MΩ. The special code '000' or '0' indicates a zero-ohm resistor (a jumper). Use the SMD Decoder section to handle all these formats automatically.
What are E-series preferred values and why do they exist?
E-series values are standardized resistor values defined by the EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance). They are spaced logarithmically so that the tolerance ranges of adjacent values just barely overlap, covering all possible resistance values with no gaps. The E12 series has 12 values per decade (for ±10% tolerance): 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.2, 2.7, 3.3, 3.9, 4.7, 5.6, 6.8, 8.2. The E24 series has 24 values (for ±5%). E96 has 96 values (for ±1%). When you need a non-standard value, choose the nearest E-series value or combine two resistors. Our tool shows both the nearest E12 and E24 values after each calculation.
How do I calculate the total resistance of resistors in parallel and series?
For resistors in series, total resistance is simply the sum: R_total = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... This is used to increase resistance using available values. For parallel resistors, the formula is: 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... Parallel combinations are always less than the smallest individual resistor. A common two-resistor shortcut is R_total = (R1 × R2) / (R1 + R2). Parallel combinations are useful for creating non-standard values or splitting current across multiple components. Use the Parallel and Series section at the bottom of this page to calculate combinations from any number of values instantly.