Resistor Color Code Calculator
Read 4-, 5- and 6-band resistor color codes per IEC 60062: resistance in Ω, kΩ or MΩ, tolerance, minimum to maximum range and temperature coefficient.
Interactive calculator · Method RESISTOR-COLOR-CODE-1.0 · Last reviewed: 2026-11-04
Calculate your scenario
A 4-band code gives two significant digits; 5- and 6-band codes give three.
Your inputs
Default worked example. Edit the inputs to calculate your scenario.
Default worked example
47 × 10^2 = 4,700 Ω ± 5% (4,465 to 4,935 Ω).
How to use the calculator
Choose the number of bands, then pick each color starting from the end opposite the tolerance band (usually gold, silver or brown set apart). The third digit band is ignored for 4-band resistors and the temperature band is used only for 6-band resistors.
What the result means
Yellow–violet–red–gold reads 47 × 100 = 4.7 kΩ ±5%, so a good part measures between 4.465 kΩ and 4.935 kΩ.
Formula and units
A 4-band code gives two significant digits; 5- and 6-band codes give three. Resistance = significant digits × 10^multiplier, where black = 0 … white = 9, gold = −1, silver = −2 and pink = −3. Range = resistance × (1 ± tolerance). The sixth band gives the temperature coefficient in ppm/K.
Worked examples
Yellow violet red gold (4-band): Number of bands: 4; Band 1: first digit: yellow; Band 2: second digit: violet; Band 3: third digit (5- and 6-band only): black; Multiplier band: red; Tolerance band: gold; Temperature coefficient band (6-band only): brown.
Example result: Resistance: 4.7 kΩ; Tolerance: ±5%; Resistance range: 4.465 kΩ to 4.935 kΩ; Temperature coefficient: Not specified for 4-band resistors; Band sequence read: yellow – violet – red – gold.
Brown black black brown brown (5-band): Number of bands: 5; Band 1: first digit: brown; Band 2: second digit: black; Band 3: third digit (5- and 6-band only): black; Multiplier band: brown; Tolerance band: brown; Temperature coefficient band (6-band only): brown.
Example result: Resistance: 1 kΩ; Tolerance: ±1%; Resistance range: 990 Ω to 1.01 kΩ; Temperature coefficient: Not specified for 5-band resistors; Band sequence read: brown – black – black – brown – brown.
Limitations and common mistakes
Uses the IEC 60062 color assignments. Some makers’ charts differ for rarely used tolerance colors, so confirm with the datasheet or a meter when it matters. Faded or heat-darkened bands are easy to misread; the tolerance band is usually set slightly apart. This decodes markings only and does not rate power, voltage or suitability for a circuit.
Reading from the wrong end: brown–black–black–brown–brown read backwards becomes nonsense. Start from the end with the band closest to the lead.
Sources and assumptions
Method RESISTOR-COLOR-CODE-1.0; last formula review 2026-11-04. Sources and their supported claims. Calculation methodology.