Resistor Color Codes
How to Read a Resistor
Most resistors are color coded with multiple bands to identify the resistance value and the tolerance. While actually measuring the resistance before using it is a good idea, it's also a good idea to know what the resistance is supposed to be. Resistors (especially carbon composition) can drift in their actual resistance. Keep a stock of fresh resistors on hand. Use the following Standard EIA color code tables to identify resistors, or you can calculate the values on your your resistors using our handy resistance calculator. Click here to calculate the value of your 4-band resistors, or here for your 5-band resistors.4 Band Resistors
| Color | 1st Band (1st Figure) |
2nd Band (2nd Figure) |
3rd Band (Multiplier) |
4th Band (Tolerance) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | 100 | ||
| Brown | 1 | 1 | 101 | ±1% |
| Red | 2 | 2 | 102 | ±2% |
| Orange | 3 | 3 | 103 | |
| Yellow | 4 | 4 | 104 | |
| Green | 5 | 5 | 105 | ±0.5% |
| Blue | 6 | 6 | 106 | ±0.25% |
| Violet | 7 | 7 | 107 | ±0.1% |
| Grey | 8 | 8 | 108 | ±0.05% |
| White | 9 | 9 | 109 | |
| Gold | 10-1 | ±5% | ||
| Silver | 10-2 | ±10% |
5 Band Resistors
| Color | 1st Band (1st Figure) |
2nd Band (2nd Figure) |
3rd Band (3rd Figure) |
4th Band (Multiplier) |
5th Band (Tolerance) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | 0 | 100 | ||
| Brown | 1 | 1 | 1 | 101 | ±1% |
| Red | 2 | 2 | 2 | 102 | ±2% |
| Orange | 3 | 3 | 3 | 103 | |
| Yellow | 4 | 4 | 4 | 104 | |
| Green | 5 | 5 | 5 | 105 | ±0.5% |
| Blue | 6 | 6 | 6 | 106 | ±0.25% |
| Violet | 7 | 7 | 7 | 107 | ±0.1% |
| Grey | 8 | 8 | 8 | 108 | ±0.05% |
| White | 9 | 9 | 9 | 109 | |
| Gold | 10-1 | ±5% | |||
| Silver | 10-2 | ±10% |