How to read the color code of a resistor
The marking on an axial resistor represents digits, a multiplier and a tolerance. Higher-precision models can add a third digit and a temperature coefficient.
Read the bands from left to right. The first is usually closer to one end, and the tolerance band is usually spaced farther apart. The tool does not try to guess the orientation: you choose the observed order and the diagram reproduces it with text labels.
The guide how to read the color code of a resistor develops the manual method, the orientation and two complete examples.
| Bands | Reading order |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2 digits · multiplier · tolerance |
| 5 | 3 digits · multiplier · tolerance |
| 6 | 3 digits · multiplier · tolerance · temperature coefficient |
The IEC 60062 standard covers marking codes for resistors and capacitors, including color assignments, values, tolerances and TCR.
Digit and multiplier table
The ten numeric colors represent the same digit when they occupy a significant band. In the multiplier position, they indicate how much to multiply the formed number by.
| Color | Figure | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×1 |
| Brown | 1 | ×10 |
| Red | 2 | ×100 |
| Orange | 3 | ×1,000 |
| Yellow | 4 | ×10,000 |
| Green | 5 | ×100,000 |
| Blue | 6 | ×1,000,000 |
| Violet | 7 | ×10,000,000 |
| Gray | 8 | ×100,000,000 |
| White | 9 | ×1,000,000,000 |
| Gold | — | ×0.1 |
| Silver | — | ×0.01 |
| Pink | — | ×0.001 |
Pink only appears as a multiplier. IEC 60062:2016 incorporated it to
10⁻³. The first number cannot be black either, because the value does not begin
with a significant zero.
Color tolerance
Tolerance describes how much the actual value can deviate from the nominal
value. For example, 1 kΩ ±5% ranges from 950 Ω to 1.05 kΩ.
| Color | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Silver | ±10% |
| Gold | ±5% |
| Brown | ±1% |
| Red | ±2% |
| Green | ±0.5% |
| Blue | ±0.25% |
| Violet | ±0.1% |
| Orange | ±0.05% |
| Yellow | ±0.02% |
| Gray | ±0.01% |
The Vishay technical card shows both the four and five band scheme and the tolerances of the precision series in accordance with IEC 60062.
Four band example: 1 kΩ ±5%
Select Brown · Black · Red · Gold:
Brown = 1
Black = 0
Red = ×100
Gold = ±5%
10 × 100 = 1,000 Ω = 1 kΩ
Range: 950 Ω – 1.05 kΩThe “Load Example” button uses this combination when selected four bands.
Five band example: 10 kΩ ±1%
A five-band resistor adds a figure before the multiplier:
Brown · Black · Black · Red · Brown
100 × 100 = 10,000 Ω = 10 kΩ
Range: 9.9 kΩ – 10.1 kΩDon’t read a five band resistor as if the third band were the multiplier: you would shift all the positions and get another value.
Sixth band and temperature coefficient
In the six-band scheme, the last band indicates the temperature coefficient
of resistance or TCR. It is expressed in parts per million per kelvin (ppm/K);
A difference of one kelvin is the same size as a difference of one degree Celsius.
| Color | TCR (ppm/K) |
|---|---|
| Black | 250 |
| Brown | 100 |
| Red | 50 |
| Orange | 15 |
| Yellow | 25 |
| Green | 20 |
| Blue | 10 |
| Violet | 5 |
| Gray | 1 |
Thus, Brown · Black · Black · Red · Brown · Red represents 10 kΩ ±1%
with 50 ppm/K. TE Connectivity
describes the sixth color as TCR and places the reading from the nearest band
to the end.
The calculator reports the coefficient, but does not estimate the resistance at another temperature. To do it rigorously you have to know the component, the reference temperature and conditions specified by its manufacturer.
What to do if you don’t know which end to start with
First look for the band that is closest to one end. In codes of four bands, gold or silver usually identify the tolerance and therefore the side final. There may also be a slightly longer gap before tolerance.
These clues are not a substitute for documentation. Some manufacturers use bands additional or groupings for specific properties. If both orientations seem possible:
- refer to the data sheet or batch marking;
- disconnect at least one terminal from the circuit;
- measure with a suitable multimeter;
- check that the value belongs to a series expected for the design.
Color does not indicate power
The calculated bands alone do not reveal how many watts the resistor can dissipate. Its size can help identify families, but the power rating depends on construction, temperature and the manufacturer’s curves.
If you need to size a limiting resistor for an indicator, use the LED resistor calculator. Then confirm value, tolerance and power with a real component.
Difference vs. SMD resistors
Surface mount resistors typically use printed numbers, codes EIA-96 or proprietary markings, not this axial band scheme. They should not be confused with inductors, fuses or other components that may use colors with different rules.
This first version is deliberately limited to axial resistors with 4, 5 and 6 bands. It does not process photographs, recognize colors from a camera or interpret SMD codes.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the range mix Ω and kΩ?
Each end is formatted with the prefix that makes it more readable. 950 Ω and
1.05 kΩ are the two limits of the same 1 kΩ ±5% resistor.
Does tolerance guarantee value under any condition?
No. The range shown applies only the nominal tolerance. Temperature, aging, loading and measurement conditions can add other variations.
Is the sixth band always temperature?
Only within the generic six-band scheme that this page implements. There are special manufacturer or reliability markings; consult the datasheet if the layout does not match.
Are selected colors sent?
No. The selection, diagram and calculation remain in this tab. The calculation uses no backend or storage and makes no processing requests. Aggregate page-view measurement is separate and never receives the selected colors.