Resistor color codes.
Color band decoder for 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band resistors — digits, multipliers, tolerances, and temperature coefficients. Per IEC 60062.
Interactive decoder
Click a band to change its color. The resistor value updates instantly. Switch between 4, 5, or 6-band modes.
The color code table
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance | Temp coef |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×1 | — | — |
| Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1.0% | 100 ppm/°C |
| Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2.0% | 50 ppm/°C |
| Orange | 3 | ×1K | — | 15 ppm/°C |
| Yellow | 4 | ×10K | — | 25 ppm/°C |
| Green | 5 | ×100K | ±0.5% | — |
| Blue | 6 | ×1M | ±0.25% | 10 ppm/°C |
| Violet | 7 | ×10M | ±0.1% | 5 ppm/°C |
| Grey | 8 | ×100M | ±0.05% | — |
| White | 9 | ×1G | — | — |
| Gold | — | ×0.1 | ±5.0% | — |
| Silver | — | ×0.01 | ±10.0% | — |
| None | — | — | ±20.0% | — |
How to read each band system
4-band (most common, ±5% or ±10%)
Read from the side opposite the wider/different-colored tolerance band:
Example: Brown–Black–Red–Gold = 1 0 ×100 ±5% = 1.0 kΩ ±5%
5-band (precision, ±1% or ±2%)
Example: Brown–Black–Black–Brown–Brown = 1 0 0 ×10 ±1% = 1.00 kΩ ±1%
6-band (precision + temperature coefficient)
Same as 5-band, with one extra band for ppm/°C drift over temperature. Used where stability matters (precision references, calibration).
Reading direction. Resistors don't have an arrow saying "this end first." Conventions: the tolerance band is usually wider, set apart from the others by a gap, or in a less common color (gold/silver/brown). If you can't tell which end, use a multimeter to confirm — color-blind eyes and faded resistors are why ohmmeters exist.
Common pitfalls
- Brown and red are easy to confuse on small surface-mount or old through-hole parts, and the resulting resistance can be 10× off. When in doubt, measure.
- Orange and yellow can blur on heat-discolored parts. Again — measure.
- The "preferred values" sequence (E12 series for 5%, E24 for some, E96 for 1%) means not every theoretical value exists as a real part. 1 kΩ exists; 1.034 kΩ doesn't.
- SMD resistors don't use color codes. They use 3-digit (e.g. "103" = 10 × 10³ = 10 kΩ), 4-digit (precision), or EIA-96 (a 3-character coded scheme). Different cheat sheet.
Common questions
How do I tell which end of a resistor to start reading?
The tolerance band (usually gold or silver) is on the right end with a slight gap from the others. Start from the opposite end. For 5-band precision resistors, the 4th band (multiplier) is sometimes a different color from band 5 (tolerance) — that gap helps. When in doubt, measure with a multimeter.
What do gold and silver bands mean?
As tolerance bands: gold = ±5%, silver = ±10%. As multiplier bands: gold = ×0.1, silver = ×0.01 (so a green-blue-gold 4-band is 56 × 0.1 = 5.6 Ω, not 56 × 10⁰). Position determines meaning — they always read as tolerance when they're the last band.
Why are 4-band and 5-band resistors different?
4-band is the standard ±5% E12 series with 2 significant figures + multiplier + tolerance. 5-band adds a third significant figure for precision (±1% E96 series, where values like 4.99 kΩ exist). 6-band adds a temperature coefficient band. Higher precision = more bands.
What's the 'preferred value' I should buy?
E12 series (±10% spacing) covers most needs: 10, 12, 15, 18, 22, 27, 33, 39, 47, 56, 68, 82 — each multiplied by 10ⁿ. For precision work, E24 (±5%) doubles these values, E48 (±2%) doubles again, E96 (±1%) doubles again. Stock E12 for general use plus a few specific E96 values you need often.
Why can't I see the colors on a small SMD resistor?
SMD resistors don't use color codes at all — they use numeric markings (3-digit, 4-digit, or EIA-96). 'White' SMD packages are too small for legible printing — below 0603 size you typically can't read markings without magnification. See the SMD resistor codes page for decoding 472 = 4.7 kΩ, etc.
Sources
- Color code standard: IEC 60062 — Marking codes for resistors and capacitors.
- Preferred values: IEC 60063 — Preferred number series for resistors and capacitors (E6, E12, E24, E48, E96, E192).
Disclaimer. Always verify with a multimeter for critical applications. Resistor values drift with age and temperature, and color codes don't account for that drift.