Resistor color code calculator (5 band)
Precision resistors (1% and tighter) use three digits instead of two. Choose the five colors in order to get the value.
Loading the tool…
Processing and privacy: The result is calculated inside your browser and your data is not sent to any server.
How to use it
- Enter band 1, band 2, band 3, multiplier band and tolerance band.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
Value = (digit 1 × 100 + digit 2 × 10 + digit 3) × 10^multiplier, and limits = value × (1 ± tolerance ÷ 100).
Example
Inputs: Band 1 = Brown, Band 2 = Black, Band 3 = Black, Multiplier band = Red, Tolerance band = Brown ±1%. Result: Resistance: 10,000 Ω; Reading: 10 kΩ ±1%; Minimum value: 9,900 Ω.
Limits and caveats
- The fifth (tolerance) band is often wider or set apart; if the value looks wrong, try reading from the other end.
- Some resistors add a sixth band for temperature coefficient, which is not covered here.
Questions about this tool
How do I know it is a 5-band resistor?
Count the colored bands. With five, the first three are digits, the fourth is the multiplier and the fifth is the tolerance, often brown for 1%.
Why is the multiplier sometimes black?
Black means multiply by 1, so red red black black brown is 220 Ω at 1%.
Are 5-band colors different from 4-band colors?
No, the digits and multipliers are the same. There is just a third digit before the multiplier.