5-Band Resistor Color Code Calculator
Select colors for each band to calculate the resistance value. The first three bands represent digits, the fourth band is a multiplier, and the fifth band indicates tolerance.
Vision Simulation
normalIntensity
100%
First digit of resistance value
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Gray
White
Second digit of resistance value
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Gray
White
Third digit of resistance value
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Gray
White
Number of zeros after digits
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Gray
White
Gold (×0.1)
Silver (×0.01)
Resistance tolerance range
±1%
±2%
±5%
±10%
±20%
Result
Nominal Value100.00Ω
Tolerance Range95.00Ω to 105.00Ω
Understanding 5-Band Resistor Color Codes
1. Color Code System
The 5-band color code system provides more precise resistance values. Each band represents a specific value:
- 1st Band: First significant digit
- 2nd Band: Second significant digit
- 3rd Band: Third significant digit
- 4th Band: Multiplier
- 5th Band: Tolerance
2. Reading Direction
To correctly read a 5-band resistor:
- Hold the resistor with the tolerance band to the right
- Read the colors from left to right
- The tolerance band is typically wider or separated
- Gold and silver are only used for multiplier and tolerance bands
3. Color Values
Significant Digits (1st, 2nd & 3rd Bands)
- Black: 0
- Brown: 1
- Red: 2
- Orange: 3
- Yellow: 4
- Green: 5
- Blue: 6
- Violet: 7
- Gray: 8
- White: 9
Multiplier (4th Band)
- Black: ×1
- Brown: ×10
- Red: ×100
- Orange: ×1k
- Yellow: ×10k
- Green: ×100k
- Blue: ×1M
- Violet: ×10M
- Gold: ×0.1
- Silver: ×0.01
4. Tolerance Values
The fifth band indicates the tolerance range:
- Brown: ±1%
- Red: ±2%
- Gold: ±5%
- Silver: ±10%
- No Band: ±20%
5. Applications
5-band resistors are commonly used in:
- Precision electronic circuits
- Measurement equipment
- Medical devices
- Industrial controls
- High-reliability applications
6. Practical Tips
When working with 5-band resistors:
- Use a multimeter to verify values when precision is critical
- Consider environmental factors that may affect resistance
- Store resistors in proper conditions to maintain markings
- Account for tolerance in circuit design
Quick Reference
Value Calculation
Value = (D1 × 100 + D2 × 10 + D3) × 10^M
D1 = First digit
D2 = Second digit
D3 = Third digit
M = Multiplier
Common Values
- 1.00kΩ - Brown, Black, Black, Red
- 4.70kΩ - Yellow, Violet, Black, Red
- 10.0kΩ - Brown, Black, Black, Orange
- 100kΩ - Brown, Black, Black, Yellow
- 1.00MΩ - Brown, Black, Black, Green