Resistor Color Code Calculator

The Resistor Color Code Calculator decodes the IEC 60062 color bands printed on through-hole resistors into resistance, tolerance and (optionally) temperature coefficient.

How to Use Resistor Color Code Calculator

Select the number of bands — 4-band is most common, 5-band offers higher precision, 6-band adds temperature coefficient.
Pick a colour for each band — first bands are digits, the next-to-last is the multiplier and the last is tolerance.
(Optional) choose a tempco band — only present on 6-band resistors.
Read the nominal value and tolerance range — minimum and maximum resistance are shown to support design verification.

Formula & Theory — Resistor Color Code Calculator

R = (digits) × multiplier   Ω
Range = R · (1 − tol)  to  R · (1 + tol)

Use Cases for Resistor Color Code Calculator

Lab & prototyping — quickly identify resistors from a parts bin.
Education — teach electronics students the EIA color code system.
Repair work — read existing components on a PCB without a multimeter.
BOM verification — confirm pulled components match design intent.

Frequently asked questions about Resistor Color Code Calculator

How accurate is the color code?

The bands give a nominal value plus tolerance band — a 4-band 5% resistor may be anywhere between 95% and 105% of the marked value. Always measure with a multimeter for precision applications.

What does the gold or silver band mean?

Gold = 5% tolerance, Silver = 10% tolerance. They can also act as ×0.1 / ×0.01 multipliers when appearing in the multiplier position.

Why are 5-band resistors used?

5-band resistors carry three significant digits and tighter tolerances (1% or 2%), making them suitable for precision analog circuits.

Is my data stored?

No. All calculations run locally in your browser; nothing is sent to any server.