Resistor Color Codes

Standard 4-band and 5-band resistor color code chart with tolerance and multiplier values.

Reference Reference Updated Apr 19, 2026
How to Use
  1. Read bands left to right — tolerance band is usually isolated on the right.
  2. 4-band: digit, digit, multiplier, tolerance.
  3. 5-band: digit, digit, digit, multiplier, tolerance.
Reference

Standard color bands used on through-hole resistors.

Color → digit / multiplier / tolerance

Color Digit Multiplier Tolerance
Black 0 × 1
Brown 1 × 10 ±1%
Red 2 × 100 ±2%
Orange 3 × 1K
Yellow 4 × 10K
Green 5 × 100K ±0.5%
Blue 6 × 1M ±0.25%
Violet 7 × 10M ±0.1%
Gray 8 ±0.05%
White 9
Gold × 0.1 ±5%
Silver × 0.01 ±10%

Examples (4-band)

Bands Value Tolerance
Brown Black Red Gold 1.0 kΩ ±5%
Red Red Red Gold 2.2 kΩ ±5%
Yellow Violet Orange Gold 47 kΩ ±5%
Brown Black Green Gold 1.0 MΩ ±5%
Brown Black Black Gold 10 Ω ±5%

Notes

  • 5-band adds a third significant digit before the multiplier.
  • 6-band uses the extra band for temperature coefficient (ppm/°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which end is first?

The band closest to the lead is first. Gold/silver is almost always tolerance (rightmost).

Common Use Cases

Identify

Decode a mystery resistor.

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