Resistor color code calculator
Read 4-, 5- or 6-band resistors, or turn a resistance value into colors, with tolerance and temperature coefficient. See the selected color bands on the resistor diagram.
Your inputs
The example is a 4.7 kΩ resistor with ±5% tolerance. Results update as you edit.
Calculations run in your browser. Inputs are not saved or sent to analytics.
How it works
- Nominal resistance = (10 × + ) ×
- Nominal resistance = (100 × + 10 × + ) ×
- Minimum resistance = R × (1 − / 100); Maximum resistance = R × (1 + / 100)
- Encoding difference = (Nominal resistance − Requested resistance) / Requested resistance × 100%
- Worked example: 47 × 100 Ω = 4.7 kΩ; 4.465–4.935 kΩ
Input and formula key
Your result
Complete the inputs to see your result.
Assumptions and limitations
Read from the end nearest the first digit band. Four bands use two digits; five and six use three. Six adds a temperature coefficient, shown as a ± limit in ppm/°C, not a signed drift prediction. No tolerance band means ±20% and is supported only with two digits. This tool uses IEC 60062:2016 with the 2019 amendment, including the pink ×0.001 multiplier and gray ±0.01% tolerance. Older manufacturer charts may use gray ±0.05%; check the component datasheet. Value-to-color mode rounds to the nearest encodable value and reports the difference; it does not choose E-series stock values. Zero-ohm jumpers, SMD markings and special reliability codes are excluded. Color codes do not establish power or voltage ratings.
Sources
- IEC 60062 — resistor marking codes (2016 + 2019 amendment) Sources reviewed: 2026-10-10
- IEC 60062 — color prescriptions, Table 1 Sources reviewed: 2026-10-10
- Vishay — legacy resistor color chart Sources reviewed: 2026-10-10
Resistor color reference
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance | Temperature coefficient (ppm/°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×1 | — | ±250 |
| Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1 % | ±100 |
| Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2 % | ±50 |
| Orange | 3 | ×1,000 | ±0.05 % | ±15 |
| Yellow | 4 | ×10,000 | ±0.02 % | ±25 |
| Green | 5 | ×100,000 | ±0.5 % | ±20 |
| Blue | 6 | ×1,000,000 | ±0.25 % | ±10 |
| Violet | 7 | ×10,000,000 | ±0.1 % | ±5 |
| Gray | 8 | ×100,000,000 | ±0.01 % | ±1 |
| White | 9 | ×1,000,000,000 | — | — |
| Gold | — | ×0.1 | ±5 % | — |
| Silver | — | ×0.01 | ±10 % | — |
| Pink | — | ×0.001 | — | — |
| No band | — | — | ±20 % | — |
