Resistor colour code calculator (4-band & 5-band)
Decode the coloured bands on a resistor, or find the bands for any value. This resistor colour code calculator (also called a resistor color code calculator) handles 4-band ±5% / ±10% and 5-band precision resistors, with a live picture of the resistor.
Enter your values
Read the coloured bands on a resistor, or find the bands for a value. Works for 4-band (±5% / ±10%) and 5-band (±1% precision) resistors.
Colours → value
4-band: (d1 d2) × multiplier5-band: (d1 d2 d3) × multipliergold ×0.1 · silver ×0.01Coro's tip: Read from the end where the bands are bunched together. The tolerance band (often gold) sits a little apart, on the right. Memory trick: Black Brown Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Violet Grey White = 0 to 9.
Result
Value → colours
Not sure of a colour? Measure the resistor with a multimeter (power off, one leg out of the circuit).
Resistor colour code calculator (4-band & 5-band): common questions
How do you read a 4-band resistor colour code?
The first two bands are digits, the third is the multiplier and the fourth is the tolerance. Brown-black-red-gold = 10 × 100 = 1 kΩ ±5%.
How is a 5-band resistor different?
A 5-band resistor uses three digit bands, then the multiplier and tolerance. It is used for precision (often ±1%) resistors.
Which end of the resistor do I start reading from?
Start from the end where the bands are bunched together. The tolerance band, often gold or silver, usually sits slightly apart on the right.
For learning and low-voltage hobby circuits (12 V and below). Always check the part's datasheet. Never use these tools to plan mains (230 V) wiring.