How do I know which side of the resistor to read first?

Look for the band grouped closest to one edge of the resistor body — that is Band 1. Additionally, the tolerance band (typically Gold or Silver) is separated from the other bands by a noticeably wider gap and is always placed on the far right.

What is a 5-band resistor used for?

5-band resistors are precision resistors (typically metal film with ±1% or ±0.5% tolerance). The third band provides a third significant digit, allowing for tighter resistance values like 47.5 kΩ or 10.2 kΩ that cannot be represented with just two digits.

What does the mnemonic 'BBROYGBVGW' mean?

It is the classic electronics memory aid: 'Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Gray, White' (0 through 9). Common sayings include 'Bad Boys Race Our Young Girls But Violet Generally Wins'.

What is standard resistor tolerance?

Standard carbon film resistors typically have ±5% (Gold) tolerance. Modern metal film resistors standardly offer ±1% (Brown) tolerance. High-precision military and aerospace resistors can reach ±0.1% (Violet) or ±0.05% (Gray).

Can a resistor have zero ohms?

Yes. Zero-ohm resistors are marked with a single black band in the center. They are jumper bridges manufactured in standard axial or surface-mount resistor packages so automated pick-and-place PCB assembly machines can insert wire links easily.

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Resistor Color Code Calculator — 4-Band, 5-Band & 6-Band Resistance

Free online Resistor Color Code Calculator. Determine resistance value in Ohms (Ω), tolerance percentage, temperature coefficient (PPM), and minimum/maximum resistance ranges using visual color bands.

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How to use this calculator

👉 Fill in the boxes below and your answer appears instantly — no maths needed, we do it all for you! 🎉

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In plain English — what does this do?

📏 Some countries say ‘30 degrees’ and others say ‘86 degrees’ for the same weather! Some say ‘5 km’, others say ‘3 miles’. This tool swaps between them instantly so you always know what it means.

📌 Direct Answer & Summary

A Resistor Color Code Calculator decodes the colored bands printed on axial electronic resistors into their exact resistance value in Ohms (Ω), tolerance, and temperature coefficient according to the international standard IEC 60062. It supports standard 4-band commercial resistors and high-precision 5-band metal film resistors.

Interactive IEC 60062 Color Representation

Band 1 (1st Digit)

Band 2 (2nd Digit)

Band 3 (Multiplier)

Band 4 (Tolerance)

Calculated Nominal Resistance

4.7 kΩ ±5%

Nominal: 4,700 Ohms

Minimum Resistance (-Tol)

4,465 Ω (4.465 kΩ)

Maximum Resistance (+Tol)

4,935 Ω (4.935 kΩ)

What is Resistor Color Code Calculator — 4-Band, 5-Band & 6-Band Resistance?

How to use it

1️⃣ Select your resistor type: 4-Band (Standard) or 5-Band (High Precision).
2️⃣ Select the color of Band 1 (first significant digit) starting from the side closest to an end lead.
3️⃣ Select the color of Band 2 (second digit), and Band 3 for 5-band resistors.
4️⃣ Select the Multiplier band color (powers of 10 or fractional multiplier).
5️⃣ Select the Tolerance band color (Gold, Silver, Brown, Red, etc.).
6️⃣ Read the calculated nominal resistance, minimum/maximum allowable resistance range, and view the visual resistor graphic.

Formula & Variables

4-Band Resistor: Resistance = (Band 1 × 10 + Band 2) × Multiplier ± Tolerance% 5-Band Resistor: Resistance = (Band 1 × 100 + Band 2 × 10 + Band 3) × Multiplier ± Tolerance%

Variable Definitions:

Significant Digits Values 0 through 9 determined by color bands

Multiplier Power of 10 applied to the significant digits (10⁻² to 10⁹)

Tolerance Manufacturing margin of error expressed as ± percentage

💡 See it in action — a real example

For a 4-band resistor with bands Yellow (4), Violet (7), Red (×100), and Gold (±5%): Nominal Resistance = 47 × 100 = 4,700 Ω = 4.7 kΩ. With ±5% tolerance (±235 Ω), the actual resistance ranges between 4,465 Ω and 4,935 Ω.

📊 IEC 60062 Resistor Color Code Standard Table

Standard color band numeric values, multipliers, and tolerance specifications.

Color Band	Significant Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance (±)	Temp. Coefficient
Black	0	10⁰ (1 Ω)	—	—
Brown	1	10¹ (10 Ω)	±1% (F)	100 ppm/K
Red	2	10² (100 Ω)	±2% (G)	50 ppm/K
Orange	3	10³ (1 kΩ)	—	15 ppm/K
Yellow	4	10⁴ (10 kΩ)	—	25 ppm/K
Green	5	10⁵ (100 kΩ)	±0.5% (D)	—
Blue	6	10⁶ (1 MΩ)	±0.25% (C)	10 ppm/K
Violet	7	10⁷ (10 MΩ)	±0.1% (B)	5 ppm/K
Gray	8	10⁸ (100 MΩ)	±0.05%	—
White	9	10⁹ (1 GΩ)	—	—
Gold	—	0.1 (10⁻¹)	±5% (J)	—
Silver	—	0.01 (10⁻²)	±10% (K)	—

* Gold and Silver are exclusively used as multiplier or tolerance bands.

❓ Common questions

How do I know which side of the resistor to read first?: Look for the band grouped closest to one edge of the resistor body — that is Band 1. Additionally, the tolerance band (typically Gold or Silver) is separated from the other bands by a noticeably wider gap and is always placed on the far right.
What is a 5-band resistor used for?: 5-band resistors are precision resistors (typically metal film with ±1% or ±0.5% tolerance). The third band provides a third significant digit, allowing for tighter resistance values like 47.5 kΩ or 10.2 kΩ that cannot be represented with just two digits.
What does the mnemonic 'BBROYGBVGW' mean?: It is the classic electronics memory aid: 'Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Gray, White' (0 through 9). Common sayings include 'Bad Boys Race Our Young Girls But Violet Generally Wins'.
What is standard resistor tolerance?: Standard carbon film resistors typically have ±5% (Gold) tolerance. Modern metal film resistors standardly offer ±1% (Brown) tolerance. High-precision military and aerospace resistors can reach ±0.1% (Violet) or ±0.05% (Gray).
Can a resistor have zero ohms?: Yes. Zero-ohm resistors are marked with a single black band in the center. They are jumper bridges manufactured in standard axial or surface-mount resistor packages so automated pick-and-place PCB assembly machines can insert wire links easily.