How to Read Resistor Color Codes
Resistors use color bands to indicate their resistance value, tolerance, and sometimes
temperature coefficient. The most common resistor color code systems include 4-band, 5-
band, and 6-band resistors.
1. Understanding the Color Code Chart
Color Digit (Band 1 & 2) Multiplier (Band 3) Tolerance (Band 4)
Black 0 ×10⁰ (1) -
Brown 1 ×10¹ (10) ±1%
Red 2 ×10² (100) ±2%
Orange 3 ×10³ (1,000) -
Yellow 4 ×10⁴ (10,000) -
Green 5 ×10⁵ (100,000) ±0.5%
Blue 6 ×10⁶ (1,000,000) ±0.25%
Violet 7 ×10⁷ (10,000,000) ±0.1%
Gray 8 ×10⁸ (100,000,000) ±0.05%
White 9 ×10⁹ -
(1,000,000,000)
Gold - ×10⁻¹ (0.1) ±5%
Silver - ×10⁻² (0.01) ±10%
2. How to Read a 4-Band Resistor
A 4-band resistor consists of:
1. **First band** → First digit
2. **Second band** → Second digit
3. **Third band** → Multiplier
4. **Fourth band** → Tolerance
Example: Red, Violet, Yellow, Gold
- **Red (2)**, **Violet (7)** → First two digits: **27**
- **Yellow (×10⁴)** → Multiplier: **27 × 10,000 = 270,000Ω (270kΩ)**
- **Gold** → Tolerance: ±5%
- **Final Value**: **270kΩ ±5%**
3. How to Read a 5-Band Resistor
A 5-band resistor consists of:
1. **First band** → First digit
2. **Second band** → Second digit
3. **Third band** → Third digit
4. **Fourth band** → Multiplier
5. **Fifth band** → Tolerance
Example: Brown, Black, Red, Orange, Brown
- **Brown (1), Black (0), Red (2)** → First three digits: **102**
- **Orange (×10³)** → Multiplier: **102 × 1,000 = 102,000Ω (102kΩ)**
- **Brown (±1%)** → Tolerance: ±1%
- **Final Value**: **102kΩ ±1%**
4. How to Read a 6-Band Resistor
A 6-band resistor includes an additional band for **temperature coefficient**.
1. **First 5 bands** → Read like a 5-band resistor.
2. **Sixth band** → Temperature coefficient (ppm/°C).
- Brown: 100 ppm/°C
- Red: 50 ppm/°C
- Orange: 15 ppm/°C
- Yellow: 25 ppm/°C
5. Tips for Identifying Resistor Values
- Hold the resistor so that the **gold or silver tolerance band is on the right**.
- Read the colors from **left to right**.
- Use a **resistor color code calculator** for quick results.
- If in doubt, **measure the resistor with a multimeter**.