This resistor color code calculator decodes the colored bands on 4, 5 and 6 band resistors. Choose each band’s color to get the resistance in ohms, kilohms or megohms, the tolerance and the minimum and maximum values.
Resistor color code chart
| 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% |
| Grey | 8 | ×100M | ±0.05% |
| White | 9 | ×1G | – |
| Gold | – | ×0.1 | ±5% |
| Silver | – | ×0.01 | ±10% |
How to read the bands
- 4 bands: digit, digit, multiplier, tolerance.
- 5 bands: digit, digit, digit, multiplier, tolerance (used for precision resistors).
- 6 bands: as 5 bands, plus a temperature coefficient band.
Start reading from the end where the bands are bunched together; the tolerance band, often gold or silver, is usually set slightly apart.
Worked example
Yellow, violet, red, gold: 4 and 7 give 47, red multiplies by 100, so the value is 4,700 Ω (4.7 kΩ) ±5%, anywhere from 4.465 kΩ to 4.935 kΩ.
Frequently asked questions
Which end of a resistor do I read from?
From the end with the bands closest together. The tolerance band is usually separated by a wider gap, and gold or silver bands are never first.
What does a gold band mean?
In the tolerance position it means ±5%. In the multiplier position it means ×0.1, used for values under 10 Ω.
Is there a way to remember the colors?
A common phrase is “Big Beautiful Roses Occupy Your Garden But Violets Grow Wild” for black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, grey and white.
How do I check a resistor’s value?
Measure it with a multimeter set to resistance, with the resistor removed from the circuit.
Related calculators
- Ohm’s Law Calculator
- Voltage Drop Calculator
- Scientific Notation Calculator
- Electricity Cost Calculator
Last reviewed: October 2026.