Resistor Color Code Calculator

Decoding the Color Bands

Color bands encode a resistor's specifications in line with the IEC 60062 standard, each hue indicating a piece of the electrical resistance puzzle:

• Value Bands: The first bands denote the resistor's base value.
• Multiplier: A subsequent band scales these digits into a full resistance figure.
• Tolerance: This band specifies possible variation from the stated resistance.
• Temperature Coefficient: An additional band on precision resistors indicates how resistance changes with temperature.

Reading Tips

Interpreting these bands can be nuanced:

• Identify the reading direction by noting the spacing or starting from a lead-end.
• Consult the manufacturer's documentation for specific coding systems.
• When bands are unreadable, an ohmmeter can provide the definitive resistance value.

Four-Band Resistors

These common resistors have two value bands, a multiplier, and a tolerance band. A sequence like green, blue, red, gold translates to 5600Ω at ±5% tolerance.

Five-Band Resistors

More precise resistors with an extra significant digit. Brown, yellow, violet, black, green signifies a 147Ω resistor at 0.5% tolerance.

Six-Band Resistors

The apex of precision, adding a band for temperature influence. An example with orange, red, brown, green, red bands would be a 3.21kΩ at ±1% tolerance with a 50 ppm/°C temperature coefficient.

Special Cases

Some resistors break from the standard code:

• Military Spec: An extra band for failure rates, seldom seen outside of robust military hardware.
• Zero-Ohm Links: A single black band marks a zero-ohm resistor, serving as a conductive link on PCBs.
• High Voltage Variants: To avoid metal in the coating, colors like gold and silver might be replaced by yellow and gray.

Our tool simplifies the decoding process, allowing you to convert color bands to electrical values effortlessly, ensuring precision in your electronic endeavors.