What does the phrase 'BBROYGBVGW' mean in resistor codes?

It is the mnemonic for the color numbers 0 to 9: Black (0), Brown (1), Red (2), Orange (3), Yellow (4), Green (5), Blue (6), Violet (7), Gray (8), White (9).

What is the value of a resistor with colors Brown-Black-Red-Gold?

Brown (1), Black (0), Red (×100), Gold (±5%) = `1,000 Ohms (1 kΩ) ± 5%` (range 950Ω to 1,050Ω).

What does the 6th band represent on a 6-band resistor?

The 6th band specifies the Temperature Coefficient of Resistance in parts per million per Kelvin (PPM/K or PPM/°C), indicating how resistance drifts with temperature.

How do you know which end of a resistor to read first?

Look for the metallic gold or silver tolerance band (or a wider spacing gap before the last band); start reading from the opposite end.

What are standard E12 and E24 resistor preferred values?

E-series standard preferred values are logarithmically spaced resistance ratings (e.g., 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.2, 3.3, 4.7, 6.8, 10) common in electronic manufacturing.

How do 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band resistor color codes differ?

4-band resistors use 2 significant digits, multiplier, and tolerance; 5-band adds a 3rd digit for precision; 6-band includes temperature coefficient (ppm/K).

Science & Engineering Cluster

Resistor Color Code Calculator (4, 5 & 6 Band Color Bands)

Decode axial electronic resistor color bands to calculate resistance values, tolerance, and PPM/K.

TL;DR: Resistor Color Code Calculator decodes 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band axial electronic resistor color bands, computing nominal resistance ($\Omega$, $\text{k}\Omega$, $\text{M}\Omega$), manufacturing tolerance ($\%$), and thermal coefficients.

Band 1 (1st digit)

Band 2 (2nd digit)

Band 3 (multiplier)

Band 4 (tolerance)

How Do You Read 4-Band and 5-Band Resistor Color Codes?

On a 4-Band Resistor: Band 1 = 1st digit, Band 2 = 2nd digit, Band 3 = multiplier (10^n), Band 4 = tolerance (Gold = ±5%, Silver = ±10%). On a 5-Band Resistor: Bands 1, 2, 3 = three significant digits, Band 4 = multiplier, Band 5 = tolerance (Brown = ±1%). Color order: Black(0), Brown(1), Red(2), Orange(3), Yellow(4), Green(5), Blue(6), Violet(7), Gray(8), White(9).

How to Use the Resistor Color Code Calculator

Our Resistor Color Code Calculator performs high-precision mathematical operations directly in your browser with zero latency and complete client-side privacy.

Select your resistor type: 4-Band (Standard), 5-Band (Precision), or 6-Band (High Precision with PPM).
Click each colored band selector to match the physical colors on your axial resistor.
The tool renders an interactive visual representation of the colored resistor.
Review the decoded resistance value in Ohms (Ω), Kilo-ohms (kΩ), or Mega-ohms (MΩ).
Inspect minimum and maximum resistance range based on tolerance percentage.

Mathematical Formula & Equations

Decodes 4-band, 5-band, and 6-band standard axial resistor color codes into exact resistance values in Ohms.

\[ R = (\text{Band 1} \times 10 + \text{Band 2}) \times 10^{\text{Multiplier}} \pm \text{Tolerance}\% \]

Calculation Example

Yellow (4), Violet (7), Red ($10^2 = 100$), Gold ($\pm 5\%$): Resistance is $47 \times 100 = 4,700\,\Omega = 4.7\text{ k}\Omega \pm 5\%$.

100% Client-Side Privacy & Data Security

All calculations, amortization schedules, variables, and sensitive numerical datasets execute 100% locally in your web browser memory. Your financial, medical, and personal values are never transmitted, logged, or uploaded to any external server.

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is the mnemonic for the color numbers 0 to 9: Black (0), Brown (1), Red (2), Orange (3), Yellow (4), Green (5), Blue (6), Violet (7), Gray (8), White (9).
: Brown (1), Black (0), Red (×100), Gold (±5%) = `1,000 Ohms (1 kΩ) ± 5%` (range 950Ω to 1,050Ω).
: The 6th band specifies the Temperature Coefficient of Resistance in parts per million per Kelvin (PPM/K or PPM/°C), indicating how resistance drifts with temperature.
: Look for the metallic gold or silver tolerance band (or a wider spacing gap before the last band); start reading from the opposite end.
: E-series standard preferred values are logarithmically spaced resistance ratings (e.g., 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.2, 3.3, 4.7, 6.8, 10) common in electronic manufacturing.
: 4-band resistors use 2 significant digits, multiplier, and tolerance; 5-band adds a 3rd digit for precision; 6-band includes temperature coefficient (ppm/K).

Cite This Calculator

Need to reference this online calculator in a financial proposal, academic paper, blog post, or classroom curriculum? Copy a citation below.

NexLove.org. (2026). Resistor Color Code Calculator [Online Calculation Tool]. https://nexlove.org/tools/resistor-color-code-calculator

“Resistor Color Code Calculator.” NexLove.org, 2026, nexlove.org/tools/resistor-color-code-calculator.

NexLove.org (2026) Resistor Color Code Calculator. Available at: https://nexlove.org/tools/resistor-color-code-calculator (Accessed: 2026).

@misc{nexlove_resistor_color_code_calculator,
  title = {Resistor Color Code Calculator},
  author = {{NexLove.org}},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://nexlove.org/tools/resistor-color-code-calculator}
}

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