Decode Any Resistor by Its Color Bands

A free interactive resistor color code calculator that decodes 4, 5, and 6-band resistors. Click on each band to select a color and see the resistance value, tolerance range, and nearest E-series standard value. Works in reverse too — enter a value to find the color bands.

How to Read Resistor Color Codes

Select the number of bands

Choose 4, 5, or 6 bands. Most common resistors have 4 bands; precision resistors have 5 or 6.

Click each band to set its color

Click on a band on the SVG resistor to open the color picker. The resistance value updates in real time.

Read the result

See the resistance, tolerance range, and nearest standard E-series value. Use reverse mode to find colors from a known value.

Identify resistor values instantly by clicking on color bands

Number of Bands:

Result

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Tolerance

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Range

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Nearest E24

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Color Code Reference

Features

Interactive resistor — click each band to pick a color and see the value instantly Supports 4, 5, and 6-band resistors with tolerance and temperature coefficient Reverse mode: enter a resistance value to find the matching color bands E-series matching (E12/E24/E96) and full color code reference table

FAQ

How do resistor color codes work?

Each colored band represents a digit, multiplier, or tolerance. For a 4-band resistor: bands 1-2 are digits, band 3 is the multiplier (power of 10), and band 4 is the tolerance (gold = 5%, silver = 10%).

What is the difference between 4, 5, and 6-band resistors?

4-band: 2 digits + multiplier + tolerance. 5-band: 3 digits + multiplier + tolerance (higher precision). 6-band: 3 digits + multiplier + tolerance + temperature coefficient.

What are E-series values?

E-series (E12, E24, E96) are standardized sets of preferred resistance values. E12 has 12 values per decade, E24 has 24, and E96 has 96. Manufacturers only produce these standard values.

How do I read a resistor with gold or silver bands?

Gold and silver are only used for the multiplier band (×0.1 and ×0.01) and the tolerance band (5% and 10%). They never appear as digit bands.

Which end do I start reading from?

Start from the band closest to one end of the resistor. The tolerance band (usually gold or silver) is always the last band and has a slightly larger gap from the other bands.

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Who is this tool for?

🔌 Electronics Enthusiasts

Published 06 Apr 2026 Updated 21 May 2026