Resistor Codes
1000 Ω 5%
Reading Resistor Color Codes
Resistors are too small to have their value printed on them, so engineers use a color-coded band system. The most common are 4-band and 5-band resistors.
How to Read Bands
4-Band System:
Band 1: 1st Digit
Band 2: 2nd Digit
Band 3: Multiplier (Number of Zeros)
Band 4: Tolerance (Accuracy)
Band 1: 1st Digit
Band 2: 2nd Digit
Band 3: Multiplier (Number of Zeros)
Band 4: Tolerance (Accuracy)
Example: Red, Red, Orange, Gold
2, 2, x1000, ±5% = 22,000Ω (22kΩ) ±5%
Standard Color Values
- Black: 0
- Brown: 1
- Red: 2
- Orange: 3
- Yellow: 4
- Green: 5
- Blue: 6
- Violet: 7
- Gray: 8
- White: 9
- Gold: ±5% Tolerance
- Silver: ±10% Tolerance
FAQ
What is the 5th band?
In a 5-band resistor, the first three bands are digits, the fourth is the multiplier, and the fifth is the tolerance. This allows for higher precision values.