Resistor Calculator
Calculate resistor values from color codes or determine color codes from resistance values with support for 4, 5, and 6-band resistors including tolerance and temperature coefficient.
Resistor Calculator
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Select Color Bands
Results
Resistor Value
220 Ω
±5% tolerance
Range: 209 - 231 Ω
Color Code Visualization
red1st
red2nd
brownMult
goldTol
Standard Series
E12 Series: 10% tolerance (12 values per decade)
E24 Series: 5% tolerance (24 values per decade)
E48 Series: 2% tolerance (48 values per decade)
E96 Series: 1% tolerance (96 values per decade)
Reading Color Codes
4-Band: Digit₁ Digit₂ Multiplier Tolerance
5-Band: Digit₁ Digit₂ Digit₃ Multiplier Tolerance
6-Band: Digit₁ Digit₂ Digit₃ Multiplier Tolerance TempCoeff
The gold or silver band is usually the tolerance band and is positioned on the right side.
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What is Resistor Calculator?
Understanding Resistor Color Codes
Resistor color codes are a standardized system for indicating the resistance value, tolerance, and sometimes temperature coefficient of resistors. This system allows manufacturers to mark values on small components where printed numbers would be difficult to read.
Color Code System
Digit Colors:
- Black: 0
- Brown: 1
- Red: 2
- Orange: 3
- Yellow: 4
- Green: 5
- Blue: 6
- Violet: 7
- Grey: 8
- White: 9
Band Types
- 4-Band: Most common, ±5% or ±10% tolerance
- 5-Band: Higher precision, ±1% or ±2% tolerance
- 6-Band: Includes temperature coefficient for critical applications
- Multiplier: Number of zeros to add (or decimal placement)
- Tolerance: Maximum deviation from nominal value
Reading Tips
- Orientation: Gold or silver band is usually on the right
- Spacing: Tolerance band may be spaced slightly apart
- First Band: Never gold or silver (except for values < 10Ω)
- Common Values: Follow standard E-series (E12, E24, E48, E96)
Tolerance and Quality
±10% (Silver): Basic resistors for non-critical applications
±5% (Gold): Standard precision for most circuits
±1-2%: High precision for measurement and timing circuits
±0.1% and below: Ultra-precision for instrumentation
FAQ - Resistor Calculator
The tolerance band (usually gold or silver) is typically positioned at one end and may be slightly spaced from the other bands. Start reading from the opposite end. If uncertain, try both directions and see which gives a standard resistance value.