# Resistor Color Code : Calculation with Different Examples (2022)

Resistors are small electrical components, used in several electrical and electronic circuits to restrict the flow of current within the circuit and also to regenerate voltage drop in several ways. These are available in different sizes and shapes. Each resistor includes a resistance or resistive value that ranges from ohms to milliohms. So these values can be measured through the color band concept. For each small component, a color code is used to indicate the resistance value instead of printed text. So these standard colors specify the rating, value & tolerance. This article discusses what is a resistor color code and how to read it with examples

## What is a Resistor Color Code?

These color bands of the resistor are called resistor color codes. Each resistor has different color bands on it that denote the electrical resistance. This was invented by the RMA (Radio Manufacturers Association) in the year 1920s. The power rating of all the resistors can be marked with color bands that rage up to 1 watt. The color bands on the resistor specified the resistance value, rate of tolerance & sometimes failure rates, or the reliability. The resistor color bands range from 3 to 6 where the first two bands specify the value of resistance & the third band is a multiplier.

Resistor

(Video) Resistor Color Code Chart Tutorial Review - Physics

### How to Read Resistor Color Code?

The following chart is used to find out the resistance value of the resistor along with tolerance. The following table helps in specifying the band colors once the values are recognized. An automatic resistor color code calculator can also be used to determine the resistance values very quickly. The resistor color coding formula is “BB ROY of Great Britain has a very good wife” which denotes the alphabets of BBROYGBVGW. This code stands for various colors like the following

• B for Black
• B for Brown
• R for Red
• O for Orange
• Y for Yellow
• G for Green
• B for Blue
• V for Violet
• G for Grey
• W for White
 Band Colors 1s Digit 2nd Digit 3rd Digit Multiplier Tolerance Temperature Coefficient Black 0 0 0 1 Ohm 250 ppm/K Brown 1 1 1 10 Ohm ±1% % 100 ppm/K Red 2 2 2 100 Ohm ±2% % 50 ppm/K Orange 3 3 3 1 k Ohm 15 ppm/K Yellow 4 4 4 10 k Ohm ±0.5% 25 ppm/K Blue 5 5 5 100 k Ohm ±1% 20 ppm/K Green 6 6 6 1 M Ohm ± 0.1% 10 ppm/K Violet 7 7 7 5 ppm/K Grey 8 8 8 1 ppm/K White 9 9 9 Gold 0.1 Ohm ± 5% Silver 0.01 Ohm ±10%

### How to Calculate Resistor Color Code?

The four band resistor color code can be used to make fewer precision resistors including tolerances of 5%, 10% & 20%. There are some simple rules to identify the resistor values. For example; in the 4 band resistor, the first two colors denote the most important digits for the value of resistance. Each color band is assigned with numbers from 0 to 9 and generally, these bands will decode different numbers into a noticeable code.

For instance, in a four-color band resistor, the first two color bands are brown & red, then the values will be 1 & 2. The 3rd band specifies the multiplier (power of 10) which means the two significant bits should be multiplied through the same allocated value for every color like in the earlier step ( if the band color is 2 then you need to multiply it by 2 so 10^2 = 100 otherwise add two zeros. So, for the previous example, the resistor value would be 1200Ω or 1.2kΩ.

In the above example, if the multiplier band is silver or gold, the decimal point can be shifted to the left through one otherwise two places

Next, the tolerance value and color are allocated to every tolerance. For gold tolerance, it is ± 5%, and for silver, it is ± 10%.

#### Resistance Tolerance

Tolerance can be defined as the error percentage within the resistance value. So, it is how much we can be expecting for an actual measurement of the resistor. For example, if the tolerance = 5%, then we can expect 5% of change within the resistance value. In the same way, if the tolerance is below 2% within a resistor, then this kind of resistor is called a precision resistor. If the resistor doesn’t have tolerance then we have to take it as ±20%.

(Video) Resistor Color Code | Calculation Resistance From Color Bands

#### Temperature Coefficient

The temperature coefficient is the sixth color band of the resistor. So, it can be defined as the change within resistance for each one Kelvin change within the temperature. If the temperature of the resistor changes with 1 Kelvin & the 6th band on the resistor is black color, then there will be the alteration of 250 parts for each million within resistors. So, this band is also set up within the resistors with high accuracy.

In 6 band color resistor, each band denotes like the following.

• 1st color band is the first significant digit
• 2nd color band is the second significant digit
• 3rd Color Band is the third significant digit
• 4th color band is Multiplier with a power of 10
• 5th color band is tolerance
• 6th color band is the temperature coefficient of resistance

### Examples

The resistance color code calculation for 3, 4, 5 & 6 bands resistors is discussed below.

3 4 5 6 Band Resistor Color Codes

(Video) Resistor color coding example part-01 how to calculate resistor color code value

#### 3 Band Resistor Color Code

The resistor with 3 band color code is shown below. In a three-band resistor color code, the first two bands denote the resistance values and the third band is a 1-multiplier band. Generally, the tolerance for the three-band resistor is ±20% which means no tolerance strip.

In the following three-band resistor, the first color is brown-2, the second color is black-0 and the third color is red (multiplier)

The formula for the three-band resistor color code is – 1st digit. 2nd digit x Multiplier

= 1.0X100 = 1000 ±20%

#### 4 Band Resistor Color Code

The resistor with 4 band color code is shown below. In the four-band resistor color code, the first two bands denote the resistance values, 1-multiplier band & 1-tolerance band.

In the following four-band resistor, the first color is brown-2, the second color is black-0, the third color is red (multiplier)

(Video) RSD Academy - The Resistor Color Code

The formula for the three-band resistor color code is – 1st digit. 2nd digit. 3rd digit x Multiplier

= 1.0.X100 = 1000 ±5%

#### 5 Band Resistor Color Code

The resistor with 5 band color code is shown below. In five band resistor color code, the first three bands denote the resistance values, 1-multiplier band & 1-tolerance band.

In the following five band resistor, the first color is brown-2, the second color is black-0, the third color is orange-3, 4th color is red -2 (multiplier)

The formula for the three-band resistor color code is – 1st digit. 2nd digit. third digit x Multiplier
= 1.0.3 X100 = 10.3 kilo ohm ±5%

#### 6 Band Resistor Color Code

The resistor with 6 band color code is shown below. In six band resistor color code, the first three bands denote the resistance values, 1-multiplier band, 1-tolerance band & 1-temperature coefficient value.
In the following six-band color resistor, the first color is brown-2, the second color is black-0, the third color is orange-3, 4th color is red -2 (multiplier), the fifth is tolerance (gold-± 5%) & the sixth band is brown – temperature coefficient (100 ppm/oc)

(Video) How to Read a Resistor

The formula for the three-band resistor color code is – 1st digit. 2nd digit. third digit x Multiplier = 1.0.3 X100 = 10.3-kilo ohm ±5% 100 ppm/oc.

Thus, this is all about an overview of resistor color code for 3 bands, 4 bands, 5 bands, and 6 bands. Components like resistors can be coded through different colors to recognize their resistance values, tolerance, etc. The size of the resistor denotes the wattage rating. Generally, for large power resistors, the resistance, wattage rating, and tolerance values are indicated on the resistor with letters or numbers. However, for small resistors, it is printed in small letters so the specifications of resistors can be specified in another way. Here is a question for you, what are the different types of resistors?

## FAQs

### What is resistance colour coding with example? ›

The four band color code is the most common variation. These resistors have two bands for the resistance value, one multiplier and one tolerance band. In the example shown here, the 4 bands are green, blue, red and gold. By using the color code chart, one finds that green stands for 5 and blue for 6.

### What is the colour code for a 220ω 10% & 1.2 Kω 5% resistor? ›

⇒ The colour code = Red Red Brown and Gold for 5%. Hence option 3 is correct. ​TRICK TO REMEMBER COLOUR CODE: BBROYGBVGW stands for “Black Brown Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Violet Gray White”, electronic colour codes of the resistor.

### How do you identify resistors with different values? ›

Read the color bands from left to right.

The colors on the first 2 or 3 bands correspond to numbers from 0 to 9, which represent the significant digits of the resistor's ohmic value. The last band gives the multiplier. For example, a resistor with brown, green and green bands is rated at 15 mega-ohms (15,000,000 ohms).

### How do you calculate color? ›

Each level is measured by the range of decimal numbers from 0 to 255 (256 levels for each color). For example, if a color has zero Blue, it will be a mixture of Red and Green. This means we can generate 256 x 256 x 256 = 16.777. 216 different colors with this model.

### What color is a 470 ohm resistor? ›

470 Ohm 2W High Quality Carbon Film Resistor (CFR) with ±5% Tolerance and Tin Plated Copper Leads. 470 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Yellow, Violet, Brown, Golden.

### What color is a 4.7 K resistor? ›

A 4.7K Ohm resistor can be identified via resistor color codes of Yellow-Purple-Red-Gold or Yellow-Purple-Black-Brown-Gold.

### What is the color code for a 22K ohm 5% resistor? ›

22K Ohm 0.25W Carbon Film Resistor 5% - Medium Quality

22K Ohm Resistor Color Code: Red, Red, Orange, Golden. Resistance: 22K Ohm, Power Rating: 0.25 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 3.37mA .

### What is the color code for a 5.1 K Ω 5% resistor? ›

5.1K Ohm 0.25W Carbon Film Resistor (CFR) with ±5% Tolerance. 5.1K Ohm Resistor Color Code: Green, Brown, Red, Golden.

### What is the color code for a 220 Ω 5% resistor? ›

So, the color code of the 220 - ohm resistor is RED - RED - BROWN.

### How do you read a color code? ›

Hex color codes start with a pound sign or hashtag (#) and are followed by six letters and/or numbers. The first two letters/numbers refer to red, the next two refer to green, and the last two refer to blue. The color values are defined in values between 00 and FF (instead of from 0 to 255 in RGB).

### How do you identify a 5 color resistor? ›

Let's take an example of a 5-band resistor with the colors given in the above image (brown, green, red, black and gold). So according to the formula the resistance will be: 152 * 1 = 152 Ohms with 5% tolerance.

### How is color difference calculated? ›

For two samples in Riemannian colour space, the colour difference can be calculated by integrating the quadratic equation for curvature along the geodesic distance between the points and dividing the result by a constant called least perceptible difference (McDonald 1982; Wyszecki and Stiles, 1982).

### What is the formula for a color balance? ›

The goal of IRGB intensity balance is to correct the intensity of a color image without modifying the R/G/B ratio of the pixels. We first compute the gray level intensity (I = (R + G + B)/3), then this intensity is balanced and transformed into I by the affine transformation with saturation.

### How do you calculate resistors in a circuit? ›

If you know the total current and the voltage across the whole circuit, you can find the total resistance using Ohm's Law: R = V / I. For example, a parallel circuit has a voltage of 9 volts and total current of 3 amps. The total resistance RT = 9 volts / 3 amps = 3 Ω.

### What is 33K resistor? ›

33K Ohm Resistor Color Code: Orange, Orange, Orange, Golden. Resistance: 33K Ohm, Power Rating: 0.5 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 3.89mA . Price: Rs 1.50 ~ 1.00.

### What color is a 6.8 K resistor? ›

ValueFirst ColorThird Color
56*Green5.6 k
62Blue6.2 k
68*Blue6.8 k
75Violet7.5 k
21 more rows

### What is the color code for a 500 ohm resistor? ›

500 ohm resistor color code is Green - Brown - Brown - [Tolerance](the 500 ohm resistor is a nonstandard value of resistor, so use the 510 ohm resistor color code instead.) 5.6k resistor color code (also 5k6 ohm resistor color code) is Green - Blue - Red - [Tolerance].

### What color is a 24K ohm resistor? ›

Color Code:Red,Yellow,Orange,Gold Tone(24K ohm, 5%)

### What color is a 24K resistor? ›

24K Ohm Resistor Color Code: Red, Yellow, Orange, Golden.

### What color is a 20 ohm resistor? ›

20 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Red, Black, Black, Golden, Brown. Resistance: 20 Ohm, Power Rating: 0.25 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 112mA ..

### What are 2 examples of resistors? ›

Wire wound resistors, thin-film resistors, and carbon composition resistors are the main types of fixed resistors.

### What is a resistor symbol? ›

The value of a resistor is measured in ohms and represented by the Greek letter capital omega (Ω). The resistance value is specified in ohms, the standard symbol is “R” or Ω. Resistor values are often stated as “k” (kilo, or times 1,000) or “M“, (meg, or times 1,000,000) for convenience.

### How do you calculate 4 resistors? ›

To calculate the total overall resistance of a number of resistors connected in this way you add up the individual resistances. This is done using the following formula: Rtotal = R1 + R2 +R3 and so on.

### What is color code 1.2 K ohm 5%? ›

1.2K Ohm 0.25W Carbon Film Resistor 5% - High Quality

1.2K Ohm Resistor Color Code: Brown, Red, Red, Golden. Resistance: 1.2K Ohm, Power Rating: 0.25 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 14.43mA .

### What colour is a 340 kilo ohm resistor with 5% tolerance? ›

So the resistance with tolerance can be written as: $R = 3.5\Omega \pm 5\%$. Therefore the colour code will be: orange, green, red and gold.

### What is the colour code of 47k? ›

Description
Resistance Value47k ohm
Color CodeYellow, Violet, Orange, Gold
Quantity50 Pieces
Tolerance5%
Power1/8 Watt

### What is the color code of 68 Ω 5 %? ›

68 Ohm 0.25W Carbon Film Resistor 5% - Philips-Vishay

68 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Blue, Gray, Black, Golden.

### What is the colour code for 3.3 K ohm? ›

3.3K Ohm Resistor Color Code: Orange, Orange, Red, Golden.

### What is the color code for a 56 ohm resistor? ›

56 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Green, Blue, Black, Golden. Resistance: 56 Ohm, Power Rating: 0.25 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 67mA .

### What is the color code of 22 ohm? ›

22 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Red, Red, Black, Golden. Resistance: 22 Ohm, Power Rating: 2 Watts, Approximate Maximum Current: 302mA .

### What color is a 270 ohm resistor? ›

270 Ohm 1W High Quality Carbon Film Resistor (CFR) with ±5% Tolerance and Tin Plated Copper Leads. 270 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Red, Violet, Brown, Golden. Resistance: 270 Ohm, Power Rating: 1 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 60.86mA .

### What is the color code for a 120 ohm resistor? ›

120 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Brown, Red, Brown, Golden.

### What is resistor Class 10 example? ›

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element. Resistors reduce the current flow and lower voltage levels within circuits. Most circuits often have more than one resistor to limit the flow of charges in a circuit.

### Where are resistors used give examples? ›

Appliances such as electric heaters, electric ovens, and toasters all use resistors to turn current into heat, then using the heat lost from this resistor to warm the surrounding area.

### What is called resistance give example? ›

R stands for resistance in this formula. If resistance is unknown, the formula can be converted to R = E/I (ohms = volts divided by amps). Examples: In an electric heater circuit, as portrayed in the two illustrations below, resistance is determined by measuring circuit voltage and current, then applying Ohm's Law.

### What is color code chart? ›

RGB color table
HTML / CSS NameHex Code #RRGGBBDecimal Code (R,G,B)
Yellow#FFFF00(255,255,0)
Cyan / Aqua#00FFFF(0,255,255)
Magenta / Fuchsia#FF00FF(255,0,255)
Silver#C0C0C0(192,192,192)
12 more rows

### What is a 4 digit color code? ›

The Four Digit Hex Color can be used as the shorthand of 8 Digit Hex Color. Four Digit Hex color can be used to define the color of your elements with the CSS like 8 Digit Hex Color. There are 8 character in 8 digit hex color that shrinks to 4 in 4 digit hex color but performance is the same as the color.

### How do you explain color value? ›

Value is how light or darkness of a color.
1. For example: If you took a black and white photograph of your painting, the shades of grey would be the different values or tones within the painting.
2. Value is the lightness or darkness a color or hue.
15 Aug 2011

### What color is a 4 ohm resistor? ›

Resistor colors and values.
...
Table 2.
ColorValue
Red2
Orange3
Yellow4
Green5
6 more rows

### How do you solve a 3 color resistor? ›

For a 3-band resistor color codes, the first two bands always denote the first two digits of the resistance value while the third band represents the multiplier. In the example we have, the bands are brown, black and brown. The first band is the brown band closest to the edge.

### What color is a 10 ohm resistor? ›

10 Ohm Resistor Color Code: Brown, Black, Black, Golden, Brown. Resistance: 10 Ohm, Power Rating: 0.5 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 224mA .

### What color is a 22K resistor? ›

22K Ohm Resistor Color Code: Red, Red, Orange, Golden. Resistance: 22K Ohm, Power Rating: 1 Watt, Approximate Maximum Current: 6.74mA ..

### What is the formula to calculate circuit? ›

Ohm's Law formula is V = I * R. V stands for voltage, measured in volts. I stands for current measured in amps. R stands for resistance measured in Ohms.

## Videos

1. Resistor Color Codes: How To Read & Calculate Resistance
(Electrical4U)
2. Formula to calculate resistor color code||Get Resistor Value by Innovative ideas
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3. Resistor Color Codes: How To Read And Calculate Resistance
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4. Electronics resistor color code explained for 4 or 5 bands
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5. Easy trick to read all band resistor colour code
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6. Finding the color code from resistor value | Electronics | IndiaBIX
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