Decode Your Resistors: 4 and 5-Band Calculator
The colored bands on a resistor aren’t just for show—they represent a specific numerical code that identifies the component’s resistance (ohms), multiplier, and tolerance. Whether you’re dealing with a standard 4-band or a high-precision 5-band resistor, our calculator simplifies the math so you can get back to your project.
Color Code Calculator INTERACTIVE
Click on each band’s color to change it. The resistance value, tolerance, and min/max range update automatically.
Resistor Color Code Table
Use this table to look up the digit value, multiplier, and tolerance for each color band. Bookmark it for quick reference.
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance |
|---|
How to Read Resistor Color Codes
Understanding which bands are digits, which is the multiplier, and which indicates tolerance.
4-Band Resistors
The first two bands represent the significant digits. The third band is the multiplier (number of zeros to add). The fourth band indicates the tolerance. For example, Yellow–Violet–Orange–Gold means: digits 4 and 7, multiplied by 1,000 = 47,000 Ω (47 kΩ) with ±5% tolerance.
5-Band Resistors
The first three bands represent significant digits, giving higher precision. The fourth band is the multiplier, and the fifth band is the tolerance. For example, Orange–Green–Black–Red–Brown means: digits 3, 5, and 0, multiplied by 100 = 35,000 Ω (35 kΩ) with ±1% tolerance.
Reading Direction
Read the bands from left to right. The tolerance band (usually gold or silver) is typically slightly separated from the others and sits at the right end. If there’s no gold or silver band, look for the band grouping — the three or four closely spaced bands should be to the left.
Tolerance Explained
Tolerance is the maximum percentage by which the actual resistance can differ from the stated value. A 1 kΩ resistor with ±5% tolerance could measure anywhere between 950 Ω and 1,050 Ω. Five-band resistors typically have tighter tolerances (±1% or ±2%), making them ideal for precision circuits.
Worked Examples
See step-by-step calculations for common resistor values.
4-Band Example: 47 kΩ
Band 2 (Violet) = 7
Multiplier (Orange) = ×1,000
47 × 1,000 = 47,000 Ω (47 kΩ)
Tolerance (Gold) = ±5%
5-Band Example: 35 kΩ
Band 2 (Green) = 5
Band 3 (Black) = 0
Multiplier (Red) = ×100
350 × 100 = 35,000 Ω (35 kΩ)
Tolerance (Brown) = ±1%
4-Band Example: 220 Ω
Band 2 (Red) = 2
Multiplier (Brown) = ×10
22 × 10 = 220 Ω
Tolerance (Gold) = ±5%
5-Band Example: 4.7 kΩ
Band 2 (Violet) = 7
Band 3 (Black) = 0
Multiplier (Brown) = ×10
470 × 10 = 4,700 Ω (4.7 kΩ)
Tolerance (Brown) = ±1%