Electrical reference chart
Resistor Color Code Chart
Use this resistor color code chart after the calculator result to document band order, nominal resistance, tolerance range, measured value, and circuit role.
Quick reference table
Resistor color bands encode significant digits, a multiplier, and tolerance. The calculator result gives the nominal value, but the working decision should also compare the tolerance range, meter reading, and wattage or circuit function before a replacement part is chosen.
Color value quick reference
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Common tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | x1 | |
| Brown | 1 | x10 | 1% |
| Red | 2 | x100 | 2% |
| Orange | 3 | x1,000 | |
| Yellow | 4 | x10,000 | |
| Green | 5 | x100,000 | 0.5% |
| Blue | 6 | x1,000,000 | 0.25% |
| Violet | 7 | x10,000,000 | 0.1% |
| Gray | 8 | x100,000,000 | 0.05% |
| White | 9 | x1,000,000,000 | |
| Gold | x0.1 | 5% | |
| Silver | x0.01 | 10% |
Band count and worksheet use
| Bands | How to read | Result to document |
|---|---|---|
| 4-band | 2 digits, multiplier, tolerance | Nominal value and broad tolerance range |
| 5-band | 3 digits, multiplier, tolerance | Higher precision nominal value |
| 6-band | 3 digits, multiplier, tolerance, temperature coefficient | Precision part note and temperature behavior |
| Damaged or faded bands | Do not force a decode | Measure out of circuit when possible and check schematic |
How to use this chart
Find the tolerance end
Identify the tolerance band first when possible so the significant digit bands are read in the correct order.
Decode and calculate range
Use the calculator result for nominal resistance, then apply tolerance to get the acceptable value range.
Compare with measurement
Measure the part when practical and record whether the meter reading fits the decoded tolerance range.
Formula basis
Resistance = significant digits x multiplier. Tolerance range = nominal resistance +/- tolerance percent.
- Significant digits come from the first bands read from the correct end.
- The multiplier scales the digits by a power of ten.
- Tolerance gives the acceptable range around the nominal resistance.
- The measured value confirms whether the actual component matches the decoded bands.
Worked examples
Decode brown black red gold
Brown and black make 10, red multiplies by 100, and gold gives 5% tolerance. The result is 1,000 ohms with an acceptable nominal range of 950 to 1,050 ohms.
Decode blue gray black red brown
For a five-band part, blue gray black gives 680, red multiplies by 100, and brown gives 1% tolerance. The result is 68 kOhm with a range of about 67.32 kOhm to 68.68 kOhm.
Related calculators
Related charts
Series Parallel Resistance Chart
Use this series parallel resistance chart: 100 ohm + 220 ohm = 320 ohm series, 330 ohm || 680 ohm = 222 ohm, then mixed total = 442 ohm.
Ohm's Law Formula Chart
Use V=IR and power formulas to solve voltage, current, resistance, and watts; 120 V across 24 ohms gives 5 A and 600 W.
Frequently asked questions
These answers explain how to use the chart without turning a quick reference into a final design decision.