Resistor color codes: Black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, grey, white, gold, silver

BASIC KNOWLEDGE Resistor color codes: Black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, grey, white, gold, silver

2026-04-28 From Venus Kohli 7 min Reading Time

Related Vendor

Better Be Right Or Your Great Big Vacation Goes Wrong. Big Boys Race Our Young Girls But Violet Generally Wins. That’s not a story, but rather how electronic and electrical engineers worldwide have been using different phrases to remember resistance color codes, possibly since the 1960s or 1970s.

A science class can be fun if mnemonics, a phrase/poem, are used to remember scientific laws or rules. Most colleges or regions have their own mnemonic for resistor color codes. (Source: © Platon - stock.adobe.com) — A science class can be fun if mnemonics, a phrase/poem, are used to remember scientific laws or rules. Most colleges or regions have their own mnemonic for resistor color codes.
(Source: © Platon - stock.adobe.com)

This article shares how to calculate standard resistance values using resistor color codes. The resistor color code system focuses on the color of bands on the body of a THT resistor to extract important values for practical use.

What are resistor color codes?

If we look closely at a resistor, we can notice different colored bands across its body. There can be three, four, five, or even six bands. These colored bands are present to convey meaningful information about each resistor.

The resistance color code is a visual coding system that allows engineers to calculate standard resistance values, tolerance, and temperature coefficient. IEC 60062 standardizes the resistor color code for global recognition. The resistor color code chart is shown below.

Color Name	Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance	Temperature Coefficient (ppm)
Black	0	100 = 1 x 1	--	250
Brown	1	101 = 10 x 10	+/- 1%	100
Red	2	102 = 100 x 100	+/- 2%	50
Orange	3	103 = 1,000 x 1 k	--	15
Yellow	4	104 = 10,000 x 10 k	--	25
Green	5	105 = 100,000 x 100 k	+/- 0.5%	20
Blue	6	106 = 1,000,000 x 1 M	+/- 0.25%	10
Violet	7	107 = 10,000,000 x 10 M	+/- 0.1%	5
Grey	8	108 = 100,000,000 x 100 M	+/-0.05%	1
White	9	109 = 1,000,000,000 x 1 G	--	--
Gold	--	10-1 = 0.1 x 0.1	+/- 5%	--
Silver	--	10-2 = 0.01 x 0.01	+/- 10%	--
--	--	–	+/- 20%	--

The resistance color code chart contains three main markings: Digits, multiplier, and tolerance. In resistors with higher bands, another marking, the temperature coefficient, is important. The general formula for the resistor color code calculator varies with the number of bands. Digits can be one, two, or even three. However, only one band can represent the multiplier, tolerance, and temperature coefficient, respectively.

Digits: Quantity used to calculate the value of resistance. The first two or three bands of the resistor represent digits. In the case of 3 and 4-band resistors, the first and second bands represent digits. In 5 and 6-band resistors, the first, second, and third bands represent digits.

Multiplier: The resistor color code calculator has only one multiplier quantity. In 3-band and 4-band resistors, the third band represents the multiplier.

In the case of 5-band and 6-band resistors, the fourth band represents the multiplier.

The multiplier falls in the order of 10. It indicates the resistor value in kilo, mega, or giga ohms.

Tolerance: The tolerance column is applicable in 4, 5, or 6 bands. In resistors with 4 and 5 bands, the last band represents the tolerance value. For 6-band resistors, the fifth band represents the tolerance value.

The tolerance value tells us the range of resistance for which it may vary. For example, a 100 Ohm resistor may have a tolerance of 10%. It means that the resistor can exhibit a value between 90 Ohms and 110 Ohms.

Temperature coefficient: The temperature coefficient does not apply to 3-band, 4-band, or 5-band resistors. In 6-band resistors, the last band represents the temperature coefficient in PPM.

The negative resistance effect can be verified in non-linear or non-ohmic devices, including many semiconductor devices, which are applicable in the power and RF industries. (Source: © ruangrit19 - stock.adobe.com)

How to read resistors?

Resistor color code charts enable engineers to read standard resistor values through color bands. Resistor color bands must be read from left to right. Start reading from the opposite side of the metallic band.

Let us understand the resistor color code chart with examples for each type.

3-band resistors

Resistors with three bands are found in basic, low-cost circuits. The accuracy of resistance values is low, about 20%. As a result, 3-band resistors can show large variations and unstable circuit performance. Students and hobbyists use 3-band resistors.

The resistor color code calculator formula for a 3-band resistor is as follows.

Resistance = (Digit Digit x Multiplier)

Problem statement (1): Calculate the standard resistor values from 3 bands: yellow, white, and orange.

This image shows a 3-band resistor diagram with yellow, white, and orange bands. (Source: Venus Kohli) — This image shows a 3-band resistor diagram with yellow, white, and orange bands.
(Source: Venus Kohli)

Solution: Start reading from left to right. The first two bands represent digits, and the third band represents the multiplier. Fetch the corresponding values from the resistor color code chart.

Step 1: For yellow and white, check the digit value from the resistor color code chart.

Yellow

Digit = 4

White

Digit = 9

Step 2: For orange, we check the value of the multiplier from the resistor color code chart.

Orange

Multiplier = 1000 Ohms

Step 3: According to the resistor color code chart, the absence of the fourth band indicates a tolerance of +/-20%.

Range = +/- 20%

Step 4: Putting all of these in the formula for a 3-band resistor.

Resistance: (Digit Digit x Multiplier)

(4 9 x 1000)

49000 Ohms

49 Kilo Ohms

Resistance: 49 Kilo Ohms

The resistance of a 3-band resistor with yellow, white, and orange bands is 49 kilo-ohms with a tolerance of 20%.

49k Ohms 20%

4-band resistors

Commercial-grade resistors in consumer tech and general electronics consist of 4 bands.

The resistor color code calculator formula for a 4-band resistor is as follows.

Resistance: (Digit Digit x Multiplier)

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Declaration of consent

It goes without saying that we treat your personal data responsibly. Where we collect personal data from you, we process the data in compliance with the relevant data protection regulations. More detailed information is available in our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for advertising purposes

I consent to the use of my email address to send editorial newsletters by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, Rotebühlstr. 83-85, 70178 Stuttgart, Germany including all of its affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 et seq. AktG (‘Mesago’). I have viewed lists of each group of affiliates here for the Mesago.
The content of the newsletter covers the products and services of all of the companies listed above including, for example, trade magazines and specialist books, events and exhibitions and event-related products and services, printed and digital media products and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, competitions, lead campaigns, online and offline market research, technical web portals and e-learning courses. If my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used to send offers for the aforementioned products and services from the above companies, as well as for market research purposes.
If I wish to access protected content online on portals of Mesago including its affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 et seq. AktG, I must register with additional data in order to access that content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in line with this declaration of consent for the purposes described herein.

Right to withdraw consent

I am aware that I can withdraw this consent at any time with future effect. My withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing performed based on my consent before its withdrawal. If I wish to withdraw my consent, I can send an email to Mesago at privacy@mesago.com. If I no longer wish to receive individual newsletters to which I have subscribed, I can also click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of a newsletter. I can find more information on my right to withdraw, how to exercise this right and the consequences of my withdrawal in the Privacy policy Editorial newsletters section.

Range: Resistance +/- Tolerance

Problem statement (2): Calculate the standard resistor values from 4 bands: brown, green, red, and silver.

This image shows a 4-band resistor diagram with brown, green, red, and silver bands. (Source: Venus Kohli) — This image shows a 4-band resistor diagram with brown, green, red, and silver bands.
(Source: Venus Kohli)

Solution: Don’t start reading from the metallic silver band. The first two bands represent digits. The third band represents the multiplier, and the fourth band represents tolerance in %. Fetch the corresponding values from the resistor color code chart.

Step 1: For brown and green, we check the value of the digit from the resistor color code chart.

Brown

Digit = 1

Green

Digit = 5

Step 2: For red, we check the value of the multiplier from the resistor color code chart.

Red

Multiplier = 100 Ohms

Step 3: As it is a 4-band resistor, we check the value of silver for tolerance from the resistor color code chart.

Silver

Tolerance = +/- 10%

Step 4: Putting all of these in the formula for a 4-band resistor.

Resistance: (Digit Digit x Multiplier)

Range: Resistance +/- Tolerance

(1 5 x 100)

1500 Ohms

Resistance: 1.5 Kilo Ohms

Range: 1.5 Kilo Ohms +/- 10%

Range: 1.35 Kilo Ohms to 1.65 Kilo Ohms

The resistance of a 4-band resistor with brown, green, red, and silver bands is 1.5 kilo-ohms with a tolerance of 10%.

1.5k Ohms 10%

Test tubes with silicone copolymers of varying chain lengths display band gap differences, creating a rainbow under UV light as longer chains shift to red, showing energy variations. (Source: Zijing (Jackie) Zhang)

5-band resistors

Industrial electronics, analog applications, and precision circuits use 5-band resistors.

The resistor color code calculator formula for a 5-band resistor is as follows.

Resistance: (Digit Digit Digit x Multiplier)

Range: Resistance +/- Tolerance

Problem statement (3): Calculate the standard resistor values from 5 bands: violet, black, yellow, orange, and gold.

This image shows a 5-band resistor diagram with violet, black, yellow, orange, and gold bands. (Source: Venus Kohli) — This image shows a 5-band resistor diagram with violet, black, yellow, orange, and gold bands.
(Source: Venus Kohli)

Solution: The first three bands represent digits. The fourth band represents the multiplier, and the fifth band represents tolerance in %. Fetch the corresponding values from the resistor color code chart.

Step 1: Check the value of the digit from the resistor color code chart for the first three bands, violet, black, and yellow.

Violet

Digit = 7

Black

Digit = 0

Yellow

Digit = 4

Step 2: Check the value of the multiplier from the resistor color code chart for orange.

Orange

Multiplier = 1000 Ohms

Step 3: As it is a 5-band resistor, the last band represents tolerance. Check the value of gold.

Gold

Tolerance = +/- 5%

Step 4: Putting all of these in the formula for a 5-band resistor.

Resistance: (Digit Digit Digit x Multiplier)

Range: Resistance +/- Tolerance

(7 0 4 x 1000)

704 Kilo Ohms

Resistance: 704 Kilo Ohms

Range: 704 Kilo Ohms +/- 5%

Range: 668.8 Kilo Ohms to 739.2 Kilo Ohms

The resistance of a 5-band resistor with violet, black, yellow, orange, and gold bands is 704 kilo-ohms with a tolerance of 5%.

704k Ohms 5%

6-band resistors

Space electronics, aerospace applications, medical equipment, and advanced electronics use 6-band resistors. The presence of the sixth band indicates a temperature coefficient, which is an important factor to assess environmental stability.

The resistor color code calculator formula for a 6-band resistor is as follows.

Resistance: (Digit Digit Digit x Multiplier)

Range: Resistance +/- Tolerance

Temperature coefficient: ppm

Problem statement (4): Calculate the standard resistor values from 6 bands: blue, grey, white, green, silver, and red.

This image shows a 6-band resistor diagram with blue, grey, white, green, silver, and red bands. (Source: Venus Kohli) — This image shows a 6-band resistor diagram with blue, grey, white, green, silver, and red bands.
(Source: Venus Kohli)

Solution: The first three bands represent digits. The fourth band represents the multiplier, the fifth band represents tolerance in %, and the sixth band represents the temperature coefficient. Fetch the corresponding values from the resistor color code chart.

Step 1: Check the value of the digit from the resistor color code chart for the first three bands, blue, grey, and white.

Blue

Digit = 6

Grey

Digit = 8

White

Digit = 9

Step 2: The fourth band - green, indicates the multiplier. Check the value of the multiplier.

Green

Multiplier = 100,000 Ohms

Step 3: The fifth band represents tolerance. Check the tolerance of silver from the resistor color code chart.

Silver

Tolerance = +/- 10%

Step 4: The last band represents the temperature coefficient. Check the value of the red band.

Red

Temperature coefficient = 50 ppm

Step 5: Putting all of these in the formula for a 6-band resistor.

Resistance: (Digit Digit Digit x Multiplier)

Range: Resistance +/- Tolerance

Temperature coefficient: ppm

(6 8 9 x 100,000)

68,900,000 Ohms

68.9 Mega Ohms

Resistance: 68.9 Mega Ohms

Range: 68.9 Mega Ohms +/- 10%

Range: 62.01 Mega Ohms to 75.79 Mega Ohms

Temperature coefficient: 50 ppm

The resistance of a 6-band resistor with blue, grey, white, green, silver, and red bands is 68.9 mega-ohms with a tolerance of 10% and a temperature coefficient of 50 ppm.

68.9M Ohms 10% 50ppm

InGaAs-based photodetectors enable sensitive and fast detection in the short-wave infrared spectrum for modern sensing and communication applications. (Source: © VITALII - stock.adobe.com)

Online resistor color code calculator

Calculation of resistance from the resistor color code chart can be complicated. Many commercial websites feature the resistor color code calculator, such as Digikey, Resistor Calculator, and All About Circuits.

Steps to use online resistor color code calculators.

Step 1: Choose from the number of bands: 3 Band, 4 Band, 5 Band, and 6 Band.

Step 2: Choose colors.

Step 3: Press calculate.

The online resistor color code calculator will display standard resistor values along with the resistor diagram.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Have you enjoyed reading this article? Then follow us on LinkedIn and stay up-to-date with daily posts about the latest developments on the industry, products and applications, tools and software as well as research and development.

References

https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/big-boys-race-young-girls-violet-wins-resistors-color-codes

https://www.digikey.in/en/resources/conversion-calculators/conversion-calculator-resistor-color-code

https://www.calculator.net/resistor-calculator.html

(ID:50829846)