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Resistor Color Code Calculator — 4, 5 & 6 Band Decoder

Decode 4, 5 and 6-band resistor color codes, or enter a resistance to get the bands. Shows tolerance and the nearest E12/E24 value.

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Selected: Band 1 (1st digit) = Brown (1)

Tap a band on the resistor, then tap a colour. The drop-downs below do the same.

1.00 kΩ
± 5% tolerance
Standard E12 and E24 value
Range: 950 Ω – 1.05 kΩ

Find the bands for a resistance value

4-band:YellowVioletRedGold

4.7 kΩ is a standard E24 value (and E12).

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How the Resistor Color Code tool works

The resistor color code tool decodes 4-band and 5-band resistor markings into resistance values and tolerance. Select the color of each band from the dropdowns — the result updates instantly to show resistance in ohms, kilohms, or megaohms, plus the tolerance percentage. It also works in reverse: enter a resistance value to find the correct color sequence for marking or ordering resistors.

4-band vs 5-band resistors

Standard through-hole resistors use a 4-band code: two digit bands, one multiplier band, and one tolerance band. Precision resistors (1% tolerance or better) add a third digit band, making 5 bands total. Gold (5%) and silver (10%) are the usual 4-band tolerances; precision 5-band parts typically use brown (1%), green (0.5%), blue (0.25%) or violet (0.1%). The 2016 edition of IEC 60062 also assigns orange (0.05%), yellow (0.02%) and grey (0.01%) for very tight tolerances, although some older parts use grey for 0.05%, so check the datasheet when a grey band is last. The tool offers all of these colors in every mode.

The color code sequence

The standard color-to-digit mapping is: black=0, brown=1, red=2, orange=3, yellow=4, green=5, blue=6, violet=7, grey=8, white=9, as codified in IEC 60062, the international standard for marking codes on resistors and capacitors. The mnemonic "BB Roy of Great Britain had a Very Good Wife" helps memorise this sequence. The multiplier band runs from ×1 (black) to ×10,000,000 (violet); gold is ×0.1 and silver ×0.01 for fractional-ohm values.

E-series preferred values

Resistors are manufactured in standardised E-series value sets defined in IEC 60063, a separate standard from the IEC 60062 color code. E12 (12 values per decade, 10% tolerance) and E24 (24 values, 5%) cover most general-purpose work. E48, E96, and E192 series cover 2%, 1%, and 0.5% precision resistors. The tool tells you whether the decoded value is a standard E12 or E24 value and shows the nearest E24 value if it is not, which helps when a circuit needs a resistance not in your stock.

Reading resistors on real components

The most common identification challenge is distinguishing the first band from the last tolerance band when the resistor orientation is unclear. On 4- and 5-band resistors the tolerance band is the last band (often gold or silver) and is usually separated by a wider gap from the digit bands; on 6-band resistors the last band is the temperature coefficient in ppm/K, which the tool's 6-band mode decodes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I read a 4-band resistor?
A 4-band resistor has four colored stripes: Band 1 is the first significant digit, Band 2 is the second significant digit, Band 3 is the multiplier (power of 10), and Band 4 is the tolerance. For example, Red-Red-Red-Gold reads as 2-2-×100-±5%, which gives 2200 Ω (2.2 kΩ) ±5%. Hold the resistor so the tolerance band (gold or silver) is on the right.
What is the difference between 4-band and 5-band resistors?
A 5-band resistor adds a third significant digit before the multiplier band, enabling more precise resistance values. For example, Brown-Black-Black-Red-Brown = 1-0-0-×100-±1% = 10,000 Ω (10 kΩ) ±1%. Five-band resistors are common in precision applications such as audio circuits, measurement equipment, and tight-tolerance designs requiring 1% or better accuracy.
What does the tolerance band mean?
The tolerance band indicates how much the actual manufactured resistance may deviate from the stated nominal value. Common tolerance colors are: Gold = ±5%, Silver = ±10%, Brown = ±1%, Red = ±2%, Green = ±0.5%, Blue = ±0.25%, Violet = ±0.1%. IEC 60062:2016 also assigns Orange = ±0.05%, Yellow = ±0.02% and Grey = ±0.01%, though some older parts use grey for ±0.05%, so check the datasheet. For general-purpose circuits, ±5% (gold) is acceptable. For precision analog or measurement circuits, use ±1% or better resistors.
What is the color code for a 33k ohm resistor?
A 4-band 33kΩ resistor reads orange–orange–orange plus the tolerance band (gold for ±5%): orange (3), orange (3), orange (×1,000) = 33,000Ω. The 5-band version is orange–orange–black–red plus tolerance.
What is the color code for a 1M ohm (megohm) resistor?
A 4-band 1MΩ resistor reads brown–black–green plus tolerance: brown (1), black (0), green (×100,000) = 1,000,000Ω. Similarly, 2.2MΩ is red–red–green. Use the calculator above for any value from ohms to megohms.
What is the color code for a 2.2k (2k2) resistor?
A 4-band 2.2kΩ resistor reads red–red–red plus tolerance: red (2), red (2), red (×100) = 2,200Ω. On schematics you'll often see this written as 2k2 — the letter marks the decimal position.

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