Resistor Color Code Calculator

Decode or encode resistor color bands

Formula

4-band: (D1×10 + D2) × Mult. 5-band: (D1×100 + D2×10 + D3) × Mult. Tolerance band separate. 6-band adds temp coefficient.

Resistor color codes encode significant digits, multiplier, and tolerance. 4-band has 2 significant figures. 5/6-band have 3 significant figures for precision resistors.

How to Calculate Manually

1
Select mode: Decode (colors→value) or Encode (value→colors)
2
Select number of bands (4, 5, or 6)
3
For decode: select each band color
4
For encode: enter resistance value and tolerance
5
Calculator shows resistance range or color bands

Reference Table

Color	Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance	Temp Coeff (ppm/K)
Black	0	×1 Ω	—	—
Brown	1	×10 Ω	±1%	100
Red	2	×100 Ω	±2%	50
Orange	3	×1 kΩ	—	15
Yellow	4	×10 kΩ	—	25
Green	5	×100 kΩ	±0.5%	—
Blue	6	×1 MΩ	±0.25%	10
Violet	7	×10 MΩ	±0.1%	5
Grey	8	×100 MΩ	±0.05%	—
White	9	×1 GΩ	—	—
Gold	—	×0.1 Ω	±5%	—
Silver	—	×0.01 Ω	±10%	—

Resistor Color Code Calculator: 4, 5, and 6 Band Decoder

Resistor color codes are a universal standard for marking resistance values on electronic components. The system uses colored bands to represent significant digits, a multiplier, and tolerance. Understanding this code is essential for electronics hobbyists, engineers, and technicians...

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read resistor color bands? 4-band: Digit, Digit, Multiplier, Tolerance. 5-band: Digit, Digit, Digit, Multiplier, Tolerance. 6-band adds temperature coefficient. Read from the end with the wider gap.: 4-band: Digit, Digit, Multiplier, Tolerance. 5-band: Digit, Digit, Digit, Multiplier, Tolerance. 6-band adds temperature coefficient. Read from the end with the wider gap.
What do the colors mean? Black=0, Brown=1, Red=2, Orange=3, Yellow=4, Green=5, Blue=6, Violet=7, Grey=8, White=9. Gold=±5%, Silver=±10%.: Black=0, Brown=1, Red=2, Orange=3, Yellow=4, Green=5, Blue=6, Violet=7, Grey=8, White=9. Gold=±5%, Silver=±10%.
What's the multiplier? Colors represent powers of 10: Silver=10⁻², Gold=10⁻¹, Black=10⁰, Brown=10¹, Red=10², etc. Multiply the digits by this value.: Colors represent powers of 10: Silver=10⁻², Gold=10⁻¹, Black=10⁰, Brown=10¹, Red=10², etc. Multiply the digits by this value.

Calculator

Formula

Formula

How to Calculate Manually

Reference Table

Resistor Color Code Calculator: 4, 5, and 6 Band Decoder

Frequently Asked Questions

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