Feb 05, 2020 Resistor color codes are something that every electronics hobbyist should remember. The old mnemonic was rather, well, disturbing, and a conscientious person would never recite it. Anyway, on with the better one! Write this down in a. Value: 1 kΩ / 1000 Ω: Type: 4 Band Colour Code: Colour Code: Brown, Black, Red, Gold: Multiplier: Red, 100: Tolerance: Gold Band ±5%. More 4 band resistor color code examples: E12 and E24 series. Five band code: Blue, brown, white, brown, red tolerance band: 619 x 10 = 6190 ohms (6.19K ohms), with a tolerance of 2%. Red, red, brown, black, with a brown tolerance band: 221 x 1 = 221 ohms, with a tolerance of 1%. Explanation: to remember the color bands on resistors in order of increasing magnitude. Numerically the value (0-9) of a resistor via the color-coded bands: Black (0), Brown (1), Red (2), Orange (3), Yellow (4), Green (5), Blue (6), Violet (purple, 7), Gray (8), and White (9). Color coded resistors Mnemonics are used to help memorize the electronic color codes of electronic components such as resistors. The first letter of the color code is matched by order of increasing magnitude.
- Resistor Color Code Mnemonic
- Resistor Color Code Worksheet
- Resistor Color Code Pdf
- Resistor Color Code Calculator
The resistor color code was developed during the year 1920. The color bands are printed on the body of tiny resistor components. Generally, for color code, we can use this resistor mnemonic called BBROY Great Britain Very Good Wife. Whereas, the beginning letter indicates a unique color.
This color-coding shortcut has an acronym for how to identify a resistor value.
| Color Code | Resistor Acronym | Band Color |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | B | |
| 1 | B | Brown |
| 2 | R | |
| 3 | O | Orange |
| 4 | Y | |
| 5 | G | Green |
| 6 | B | |
| 7 | V | Violet |
| 8 | G | |
| 9 | W | White |
Resistors use the BS1852 (British standard) coding standard for value representation. It uses letter 'R' for ohms, 'K' for Kilo ohms, and 'M' for Megaohms. For example, a 4.7K ohm resistor is shown as 4K7.
Resistor Color Bands
The Carbon composition resistors have 3 to 6 resistor color bands. The 3-band resistor has three colors with multiplier and no tolerance.
The three bands can be selected to know the resistor value. Whereas, the 4 band, 5 band, and 6 band resistors have an extra band known as tolerance.
The color code chart shows the 3 bands, 4 band, 5 band, and 6 band resistor strips.
| 3 Band Resistor | 4 Band Resistor | 5 Band Resistor | 6 Band Resistor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st band | First Digit | First Digit | First Digit | First Digit |
| 2nd band | Second Digit | Second Digit | Second Digit | Second Digit |
| 3rd band | Multiplier Value | Multiplier Value | Third Digit | Third Digit |
| 4th band | Tolerance Value | Multiplier Value | Multiplier Value | |
| 5th band | Tolerance Value | Tolerance Value | ||
| 6th band | Temperature Coefficient |
To know, how to find color code, each color indicates a number starting from 0 to 9. This number can be used as the first significant digit and second significant digit for 3 band and 4 band. For 5 band and 6 band resistors, the first 3 digits indicate significant numbers.
The multiplier value is multiplied with the significant digit number (one, two, or three digits) to get the desired resistance value. In addition to this the 4 band, 5 band, and 6 band resistors have tolerance value ranging from ±0.10 to ±10.
The 6-band resistor has a special property of temperature coefficient of resistance represented in ppm/Kelvin. The higher ppm value indicates that a resistor can withstand the higher or lower temperature. The variation of resistance is constant to temperature.
Resistor Color Code Chart – 3 band 4 band 5 band and 6 band
To understand how to read the resistor color code for 3 /4/5/6 band resistors you can use this color chart.
From the above chart, each color band on the resistor represents a number. For example, to calculate 1.2MΩ, the resistor shows BrownRedGreen colors (read from left side to right). Now place the first two bands as the numeric value and third band as a multiplier (105).
Deviations in Resistor Color Coding
Reliability
To meet the military specification resistors often manufactured with reliability band. This band is not found in commercial electronics. Typically, a 4-band resistor comes with a reliability band.
Zero Ohm resistor
This resistor comes with a single black band used to connect the traces on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). It is used as an interconnection between two joints.
Resistor bands with Gold and Silver
The gold and silver bands are prone to misconceptions of true colors in a resistor. Hence, they are replaced with grey and yellow color bands.
How to Use the Resistor Color Code Calculator
The resistor calculator tool calculates the color code for 3band, 4 band, 5 band, and 6 band resistors typically in the range of ohms, Kilo Ohms, and Mega Ohms.
The resistance calculator has 1 to 6 band colors with Multiplier (Mul) and tolerance (Tol) and PPM/Kelvin. You must select the right color corresponding to each column. The tolerance value tells the accuracy at which the resistor is manufactured. Normally, for gold, it is 5% and for silver, it is 10%.
This will display the true resistance value with tolerance and temperature coefficient of resistance.
Resistor Color Code Examples
To explore more, let’s discuss a few examples of resistor color code for 4, 5, and 6 band resistors.
4 band Color Code
For example, 4-band resistor has color BrownBlackOrangeGold. What's the resistor value?
By using the color chart, write the values as, 1/0/103 = 10 * 103 = 10K ohm/10K. The tolerance is ±5% for Gold. So, the value ranges from 9.5KΩ to 10.5KΩ.
5 Band Color Code
Another example (From chart): 5-band resistor has color Black – BrownBlackRedBrown.
Write the values as, 0/1//0/102 = 10 * 100 = 1K ohm/1K. The tolerance is ±1% for Brown. Hence, the resistor value is 900Ω to 1.01KΩ
6 Band Color Code
A 6-band resistor has BlackBrownRedBrownBlueBrown
Using the chart, the values are 0/1/2/101 = 120 0hm/120R. The tolerance is ±0.25% for Blue and the temperature coefficient of resistance is 100ppm. So, the resistance becomes 119.7Ω -120.3Ω
Standard Resistor Values
Electronic color coding is standardized by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and later by the Radio Manufacturers Association (RMA) as standard color marking for resistors.
This marking code changes from one decade to another decade. This is known as the EIA color code. For each tolerance band, the EIA allocates E-series (E3, E6, E12, E24 and E96) to name the resistor values.
The standard decade resistors (also known as preferred values) are shown in the below table. The resistance calculation is starting from 1 ohm with tolerance range (36%, 10%, 5% and 1%).
| E3 Series - Resistance with ±36% Tolerance (Value in Ohms) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2.2 | 4.7 | |||||||
| E6 Series - Resistance with ±20% Tolerance (Value in Ohms) | |||||||||
| 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 4.7 | 6.8 | ||||
| E12 Series - Resistance with ±10% Tolerance (Value in Ohms) | |||||||||
| 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 5.6 |
| E24 Series - Resistance with ±5% Tolerance (Value in Ohms) | |||||||||
| 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| 2.7 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 6.2 |
| 6.8 | 7.2 | 8.2 | 9.1 | ||||||
| E96 Series - Resistance with ±1% Tolerance (Value in Ohms) | |||||||||
| 1 | 1.02 | 1.05 | 1.07 | 1.10 | 1.13 | 1.15 | 1.18 | 1.21 | 1.24 |
| 1.27 | 1.30 | 1.33 | 1.37 | 1.40 | 1.43 | 1.47 | 1.50 | 1.54 | 1.58 |
| 1.62 | 1.65 | 1.69 | 1.74 | 1.78 | 1.82 | 1.87 | 1.91 | 1.96 | 2.00 |
| 2.05 | 2.10 | 2.15 | 2.21 | 2.26 | 2.32 | 2.37 | 2.43 | 2.49 | 2.55 |
| 2.61 | 2.67 | 2.74 | 2.80 | 2.87 | 2.94 | 3.01 | 3.09 | 3.16 | 3.24 |
| 3.32 | 3.40 | 3.48 | 3.57 | 3.65 | 3.74 | 3.83 | 3.92 | 4.02 | 4.12 |
| 4.22 | 4.32 | 4.42 | 4.53 | 4.64 | 4.75 | 4.87 | 4.99 | 5.11 | 5.23 |
| 5.36 | 5.49 | 5.62 | 5.76 | 5.90 | 6.04 | 6.19 | 6.34 | 6.49 | 6.65 |
| 6.81 | 6.98 | 7.15 | 7.32 | 7.50 | 7.68 | 7.87 | 8.06 | 8.25 | 8.45 |
| 8.66 | 8.87 | 9.09 | 9.31 | 9.53 | 9.76 | ||||
To find the resistor values from E-series, take the preferred resistor with tolerance. We will get resistances by multiplying value with the multiplier constant. For example, E6 series resistor (1 ohm) with tolerance ±20, the set of resistances is 1, 20, 400, 8K, 160K.
Conclusion
Carbon strip resistors do not have their resistance value and tolerance printed on their body due to their size. Hence the resistor color code chart and calculator help to find out the resistor value without using a digital multimeter.
Here are some points to remember on resistor color coding.
- Resistor color code saying the Fifth band is black, which type of resistor?
For a wire wound resistor, the 5th band is black and for a fusible resistor, the 5th band is white color. If the only single band (black color) in the middle it is a zero-ohm resistor.
- From which side should I read the resistor?
Read from the left side to right. The idea is, the gold or silver bands (for tolerance) are present on the right side. If the gold, silver bands are not present, then the band that is close to the lead will be the first band.
- Which type of E-Series is mostly used?
In most of the circuits, the preferred series are E6, E12, and E24. E96 series are high in cost as their tolerance is less.
Resistor Color Code Calculator |
This calculator solves for 4, 5 or 6 band resistors and is quite simple to use. To calculate a four band resistor value, use the middle four 'drop' boxes then click on the 'Calc 4 Band' button. For a five or six band resistor, you can use all six boxes but all 6 do not necessarily have to be used - the 'Temperature Coefficient' box, for example. After you have selected the 6 'drop box' choices, remember to click the 'Calc 5 Band' button for your answer.
If you have calculated a 5 or 6 band resistor, and go back to calculating a 4 band resistor, the two drop boxes on the ends (far left and far right) will not clear but this is perfectly all right. When calculating 4 band resistors, the values of the drop boxes on the ends do not enter into the calculations in any manner.
Color 'bands' are used to indicate the resistance value with each color signifying a number and these color bands are grouped closer to one end of the resistor than the other. |
The third color band is the multiplier of the first 2 bands. Here, black is 1, brown is 10, red is 100 and so on. Putting this in other words, the value of the third band (the multiplier) is the number 10 raised to the power of the color code. For example, red in the third band is 10² or 100.
This third band also has 2 new colors where gold = .1 and silver = .01.
The 4th band is the resistor's tolerance and shows how precisely the resistor was manufactured. Gold = 5%, silver = 10% and no band whatsoever = 20%.
Now that we know the values of each color, let's try calculating a few examples of resistance values.
Looking at resistor #1, we see the colors red red green gold.
The Color Codes chart 'translates' this into 2 2 and 100,000
which equals 2 2 ×100,000 or 2,200,000 ohms and don't forget the gold 4th band which indicates a 5% tolerance.
Resistor #2 has the colors orange orange yellow silver which 'translates' into 3 3 ×10,000 or 330,000 ohms and a tolerance of 10%.
Resistor #3 has the colors yellow violet silver meaning 4 7 ×.01 or .47 ohms and no fourth band indicates a 20% tolerance.
Use the 5 Band Chart to solve these next problems.
For resistor 4, we see the first 3 bands are violet, green and red which 'translate' into 7, 5 and 2. Looking at the fourth band (the multiplier), we see it is brown and has a value of 10.
So, the resistance value is 7 5 2 × 10 which equals 7,520 ohms or 7.52 K ohms.
Resistor Color Code Mnemonic
Band 5 is red which indicates a 2 per cent tolerance and a brown sixth band means that the temperature coefficient is 100 parts per million (ppm).
Examining resistor 5, the first 3 bands are brown, black and blue and the fourth band (the multiplier) is green. So, these colors convert into 1 0 6 × 100,000 which calculates to 10,600,000 ohms or 10.6 Meg ohms.
The brown 5th band and the red 6th band mean that the resistor has a 1% tolerance and a 50 ppm temperature coefficient.
If you've read these instructions, you probably have a good understanding of determining a resistor's value from its colors. Then again, there's always the calculator which makes things much easier to solve.
Resistor Color Code Worksheet
Resistor Color Code Pdf
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