⚡ Engineering

Resistor Color Code Calculator 2026 — 4/5/6 Band

Resistor color code calculator for 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band resistors — select each band color to instantly decode resistance, tolerance, and temperature coefficient.

Number of Bands

Resistance Value

—

Resistance

—

Tolerance Range

—

Tolerance

—

Temp. Coefficient

How It Works

Choose the number of bands — select 4, 5, or 6 bands to match the resistor in your hand.
Select each band color — use the dropdowns from left to right; swatches update to show your selection on a visual resistor.
Read the resistance instantly — the decoder shows the resistance in the most readable unit (Ω, kΩ, MΩ), plus tolerance range and tempco for 6-band resistors.

The resistor color code calculator uses the IEC 60062 standard: digit bands combine to form the significant value, the multiplier band sets the power-of-ten scale, and the tolerance band expresses accuracy as a percentage. A 5-band 1% metal-film resistor uses three digit bands for finer precision.

Reading Resistor Color Codes

Resistor color codes are the bands of color printed on carbon or metal-film resistors to indicate their resistance value. The system is standardized by IEC 60062 and is used worldwide on through-hole resistors. Knowing how to read them is an essential skill for electronics hobbyists and professional engineers alike.

Standard Color Code Table (Digit & Multiplier Values)

The following table shows each color's digit value, multiplier, tolerance, and temperature coefficient. Memorizing a few key colors — brown = 1, red = 2, orange = 3, yellow = 4, green = 5 — and recognizing gold/silver as tolerance bands makes reading resistors much faster. Our Ohm's Law Calculator can help you verify the resistance in your circuit once you know the value.

Color	Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance	Tempco (ppm/°C)
Black	0	×1	—	—
Brown	1	×10	±1%	100
Red	2	×100	±2%	50
Orange	3	×1 kΩ	—	15
Yellow	4	×10 kΩ	—	25
Green	5	×100 kΩ	±0.5%	—
Blue	6	×1 MΩ	±0.25%	10
Violet	7	×10 MΩ	±0.1%	5
Grey	8	×100 MΩ	±0.05%	—
White	9	×1 GΩ	—	—
Gold	—	×0.1	±5%	—
Silver	—	×0.01	±10%	—

4-Band vs 5-Band vs 6-Band Resistors

4-band resistors are the most common type found in general-purpose electronics. They provide two significant digits and are typically ±5% or ±10% tolerance. 5-band resistors add a third digit band for more precise values and are commonly ±1% or ±2% metal-film types used in precision analog circuits. 6-band resistors add a temperature coefficient band, making them suitable for precision applications where resistance drift over temperature must be tightly controlled. Use the Wire Gauge Calculator alongside this tool for complete circuit design work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read a 4-band resistor color code?

On a 4-band resistor, the first two bands are significant digits (0-9), the third band is the multiplier (power of 10), and the fourth band is tolerance. For example, brown-black-red-gold means 1, 0, ×100, ±5% = 1,000 Ω ±5%.

What is the difference between a 4-band and 5-band resistor?

A 5-band resistor has three significant digit bands instead of two, allowing more precise resistance values. Band 1-3 are digits, band 4 is the multiplier, and band 5 is tolerance. 5-band resistors are common in precision applications (±1% or better).

What does the 6th band on a resistor mean?

The 6th band on a resistor represents the temperature coefficient (tempco), measured in parts per million per degree Celsius (ppm/°C). It indicates how much the resistance changes with temperature. Brown = 100 ppm/°C, red = 50 ppm/°C, orange = 15 ppm/°C, yellow = 25 ppm/°C.

What colors can be used for the multiplier band?

The multiplier band can be: black (×1), brown (×10), red (×100), orange (×1k), yellow (×10k), green (×100k), blue (×1M), violet (×10M), grey (×100M), white (×1G), gold (×0.1), or silver (×0.01). Gold and silver multipliers are used for very low resistance values.