A free online tool to decode resistor color bands and calculate resistance values instantly. Perfect for electronics hobbyists, engineers, and students.
1st Digit
2nd Digit
Multiplier
Tolerance
Resistance Value
1,000 Ω
Tolerance: ±5%
Color Code
Brown - Black - Red - Gold
The Resistor Color Code Calculator is a free online tool designed to help electronics enthusiasts, engineers, and students quickly decode resistor values or find the color bands for a specific resistance. This tool eliminates the need for manual calculations and reduces errors when working with electronic circuits.
Resistors are fundamental components in electronics, and understanding their color coding system is essential for anyone working with circuits. This calculator supports 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band resistors, making it versatile for all types of projects.
The tool provides two main functions:
Resistor color codes are a system of colored bands painted on a resistor to indicate its resistance value, tolerance, and sometimes temperature coefficient. This system allows engineers to quickly identify a resistor's specifications without measuring it.
Most resistors have either 4 or 5 bands. Four-band resistors have two digits for the value, one multiplier, and one tolerance band. Five-band resistors have three digits for the value, one multiplier, and one tolerance band. Some precision resistors have a sixth band for temperature coefficient.
For a 5-band resistor, the first three bands represent the significant digits, the fourth band is the multiplier, and the fifth band indicates the tolerance. For example, brown-black-black-red-brown would be 100 × 10² = 10,000Ω (10kΩ) with ±1% tolerance.
The tolerance band indicates the percentage by which the actual resistance may vary from the stated value. For example, a 1000Ω resistor with ±5% tolerance could have an actual resistance between 950Ω and 1050Ω.
Yes, this Resistor Color Code Calculator is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, subscriptions, or registration requirements. We believe in providing valuable tools to the electronics community.