How do I read a 4-band resistor?

Read the first two color bands as digits, the third as the multiplier and the fourth as tolerance. For example brown black red gold equals 1 kΩ ±5%.

What does the sixth band on a resistor mean?

The sixth band is temperature coefficient, usually shown in ppm/K. It indicates how much the resistance changes with temperature.

Which side of a resistor do I read first?

Usually the tolerance band such as gold, silver or brown is read last and placed on the right. If the bands are unclear, verify with a multimeter.

🌈 Resistor Color Code Calculator

Decode 3, 4, 5, and 6-band resistors instantly — or look up the color bands for any resistance value.

Band 1 D₁

Band 2 D₂

Band 3 ×

Band 4 Tol

Band 5 Tol

Band 6 TC

Select band colors above to decode the resistor

Enter a resistance value to find its color bands (nearest standard E-series value shown).

Resistance Value

Unit

Bands

Result

📊 Color Code Reference Table

Color	Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance	Temp. Coeff.

How to Read Resistor Color Codes

Resistors are marked with color bands that encode their resistance value, tolerance, and sometimes temperature coefficient. Learning to read these bands is a fundamental electronics skill every maker should know.

3-Band Resistors

The simplest type — two significant digit bands plus one multiplier band. No explicit tolerance band; a 3-band resistor is assumed to have ±20% tolerance. Common in older and lower-precision applications. Example: Brown–Black–Red = 1, 0, ×100 = 1kΩ ±20%.

4-Band Resistors

The most common type. The first two bands represent significant digits, the third band is the multiplier (a power of 10), and the fourth band indicates tolerance. For example: Brown–Black–Red–Gold = 1, 0, ×100, ±5% = 1kΩ ±5%.

5-Band Resistors

Used for precision resistors. The first three bands are significant digits, the fourth is the multiplier, and the fifth is tolerance. A wider gap before the tolerance band helps identify orientation. Example: Red–Red–Black–Brown–Brown = 2, 2, 0, ×10, ±1% = 2.2kΩ ±1%.

6-Band Resistors

The same as 5-band but with a sixth band for temperature coefficient (TC), measured in ppm/K. This tells you how much the resistance changes per degree Celsius. Brown (100 ppm/K) is the most common. Used in precision and military-grade applications where thermal stability matters.

E-Series Standard Values

Resistors aren't manufactured in every possible value — they come in standardized series: E12 (12 values per decade, ±10%), E24 (24 values, ±5%), E48 and E96 (for precision work, ±2% and ±1%). When calculating for a circuit, always pick the nearest available E-series value.

Tips for Reading Bands

Hold the resistor with the tolerance band (gold/silver) to the right — read left to right.
Gold = ±5%, Silver = ±10%, Brown = ±1%, Red = ±2%.
If you're unsure which end to start from, use a multimeter to verify.
Black and Brown look similar — check context. Black is never a first digit (it would make the resistor zero).
On 5 and 6-band resistors, the tolerance band is often spaced further from the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Usually the tolerance band is separated slightly and sits on the right side. Gold, silver, brown, red, green, blue and violet are common tolerance colors. Read the other bands from left to right.

A 4-band resistor uses two significant digits, a multiplier and tolerance. A 5-band resistor uses three significant digits, a multiplier and tolerance, so it is common on precision resistors.

The sixth band is the temperature coefficient, shown in ppm/K. Lower ppm/K means the resistance changes less with temperature, which is important in precision measurement and timing circuits.

Gold and silver are tolerance colors, not normal digit colors. Gold usually means ±5% and silver usually means ±10%, so they are normally read as the final band.

Memory Aid: BB ROY of Great Britain Very Good Wife

A classic mnemonic for the color order: Black (0), Brown (1), Red (2), Orange (3), Yellow (4), Green (5), Blue (6), Violet (7), Grey (8), White (9).