Resistor Color Code Calculator
Digits × multiplier, plus a tolerance band. Click any i for detail.
Bands
Bands
i
Bands
4-band: two digits. 5-band: three digits. |
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|---|---|
1st digit
i
Digit 1
First significant digit. Not gold/silver. |
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2nd digit
i
Digit 2
Second significant digit. |
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3rd digit
i
Digit 3
Third significant digit (5-band only). |
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Multiplier
i
Multiplier
Gold is ×0.1, silver ×0.01. |
|
Tolerance
i
Tolerance
Gold ±5%, silver ±10%, brown ±1%. |
How to use this calculator
- Pick 4-band or 5-band mode.
- Set digit colors left to right.
- Set multiplier and tolerance bands (tolerance usually on the right).
- Read ohms and tolerance window.
Results explained
Digits form the significand; multiplier scales by 10ⁿ. Gold/silver appear on multipliers and tolerances, not digit bands.
Quick reference: resistor colors
Brown-black-red-gold is 1 kΩ ±5%.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Digit colors | black 0 through white 9 |
| Gold multiplier | ×0.1 |
| Silver multiplier | ×0.01 |
| Gold tolerance | ±5% common |
Hold the tolerance band to the right when reading left-to-right.
How the estimate is built
R = (digit value) × 10^multiplier; tolerance ±% on R.
Example scenario
Brown-black-red-gold → 1 kΩ ±5%.
FAQ
Which band is the tolerance?
Usually gold, silver, or brown at the far right end.
5-band vs 4-band?
5-band adds a third significant digit before the multiplier.
Does this measure the part?
No. It decodes color bands; use a meter to verify.