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Resistor Color Code Calculator

Decode 4-band and 5-band resistors instantly. Select the color bands to calculate resistance values and tolerance. Fast, accurate, and mobile-friendly.

Resistance Value
1.00kΩ
±5%

Reverse Lookup: Find Color Bands

Enter a resistance value to find the corresponding color bands.

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How to Read Resistor Color Codes

Resistor color codes are a standardized system for indicating the resistance value and tolerance of through-hole resistors. Each color represents a specific digit or multiplier, allowing you to quickly identify a resistor's value without measuring it.

4-Band Resistors

The most common type. The first two bands represent the first two digits of the resistance value, the third band is the multiplier (number of zeros), and the fourth band indicates tolerance.

5-Band Resistors

Used for precision resistors. The first three bands represent the first three digits, the fourth band is the multiplier, and the fifth band indicates tolerance. These provide more precise resistance values.

Color Code Chart

  • Black: 0
  • Brown: 1
  • Red: 2
  • Orange: 3
  • Yellow: 4
  • Green: 5
  • Blue: 6
  • Violet: 7
  • Gray: 8
  • White: 9

Tolerance Values

  • Brown: ±1%
  • Red: ±2%
  • Gold: ±5%
  • Silver: ±10%
  • None: ±20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this calculator and how to use it.

To read a 4-band resistor, identify the tolerance band (usually gold or silver) and position it on the right. Read left to right: the first two bands are the significant digits, the third band is the multiplier (number of zeros), and the fourth band is the tolerance.
A 4-band resistor uses two significant digit bands, one multiplier band, and one tolerance band. A 5-band resistor adds a third significant digit band for higher precision. 5-band resistors are typically used for precision resistors with tighter tolerances such as ±1% or ±2%.
Gold represents ±5% tolerance. Silver represents ±10% tolerance. Brown represents ±1% and red represents ±2% tolerance. A resistor with no tolerance band has ±20% tolerance.
The multiplier band tells you how many zeros to add to the significant digits. For example, a red multiplier band means multiply by 100. Gold means multiply by 0.1 and silver means multiply by 0.01 for sub-ohm values.
This calculator is 100% accurate for standard EIA color code resistors. It supports all 10 standard colors for digit bands, all multiplier colors including gold and silver, and all standard tolerance bands. For physical resistors, you can also verify the value using a multimeter.

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