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Resistor Color Code Calculator

Decode 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band resistor color codes into resistance, tolerance, and temperature coefficient. For example, red-violet-yellow-brown-brown on a 5-band resistor gives 2.74 kΩ with ±1% tolerance, or a range from 2.7126 kΩ to 2.7674 kΩ.

Updated June 14, 2026

Brown-Black-Red-Gold = 1-0-×100-±5% = 1kΩ ±5%

Yellow-Violet-Orange = 47kΩ

Select band colors to decode resistor value

Calculator Inputs

Select the number of color bands on your resistor

First significant digit (cannot be black)

Second significant digit

For 4-band: multiplier, For 5/6-band: third digit

For 4-band: tolerance, For 5/6-band: multiplier

Tolerance band (for 5 and 6 band resistors)

Temperature coefficient (for 6 band resistors only)

Calculation Results

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Example Calculations

5-Band Resistor Example

Decode a precision resistor used in a measurement circuit

Inputs
  • Bands: Red,Violet,Yellow,Brown,Brown
  • Band Count: 5
  • Resistor Tolerance: ±1%
  • Temp Coefficient: Not Used

How to Use

How to Decode Resistor Color Bands

Select the band count first. Use 4 bands for two significant digits, 5 bands for three significant digits, and 6 bands when the resistor also has a temperature coefficient band.

1. Read the Significant Digits

Band Count Digit Bands Multiplier Band Other Bands
4-band Bands 1 and 2 Band 3 Band 4 is tolerance
5-band Bands 1, 2, and 3 Band 4 Band 5 is tolerance
6-band Bands 1, 2, and 3 Band 4 Band 5 is tolerance; band 6 is ppm/°C

2. Apply Multiplier and Tolerance

For a 5-band resistor marked red, violet, yellow, brown, brown: red = 2, violet = 7, yellow = 4, brown multiplier = x10, and brown tolerance = ±1%. The result is 274 x 10 = 2,740 Ω, or 2.74 kΩ at ±1%.

3. Confirm Ambiguous Parts

Gold and silver are usually tolerance or multiplier bands, so they often help identify the reading direction. If the colors are faded, the spacing is unclear, or the resistor is still installed in a circuit, confirm the value with a meter before using it in repair or design work.

Common Applications

Identify through-hole resistor values on bench parts, kits, and prototype boards

Check tolerance range before substituting a resistor in a circuit

Decode 4-band general-purpose resistors and 5-band precision resistors

Use the 6th band to interpret temperature coefficient in ppm/°C

Cross-check marked resistor values before inventory, repair, or classroom work

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read a 4-band resistor?
The first two bands are significant digits, the third band is the multiplier, and the fourth band is tolerance. For example, brown-black-red-gold is 10 x 100 = 1,000 Ω with ±5% tolerance.
How do I read a 5-band resistor?
The first three bands are significant digits, the fourth band is the multiplier, and the fifth band is tolerance. Red-violet-yellow-brown-brown gives 274 x 10 = 2.74 kΩ with ±1% tolerance.
What does the 6th resistor band mean?
On a 6-band resistor, the sixth band is the temperature coefficient in ppm/°C. It estimates how much the resistance changes with temperature and is most useful for precision or temperature-sensitive circuits.
Why do some resistor bands look reversed?
Tolerance bands such as gold, silver, brown, red, green, blue, violet, or gray are commonly placed at the end, sometimes with a wider gap. If the part is symmetrical or faded, verify the value with a multimeter or datasheet.

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