Use this tool to decode a 5-band resistor. Pick the color of each band and click calculate to get the nominal resistance, tolerance, and minimum/maximum expected range.
5-band rule: Digit + Digit + Digit + Multiplier + Tolerance.
How a 5-band resistor code works
A 5-band resistor gives you more precision than a 4-band resistor. The first three bands are significant digits, the fourth band is the multiplier, and the fifth band is tolerance. This format is common in precision electronics where tighter error margins are important.
For example, if the bands are brown, black, black, red, brown:
- First three digits: 1, 0, 0 → 100
- Multiplier red: ×100
- Nominal resistance: 100 × 100 = 10,000 Ω (10 kΩ)
- Tolerance brown: ±1%
Color code reference table
| Color | Digit | Multiplier | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×1 | — |
| Brown | 1 | ×10 | ±1% |
| Red | 2 | ×100 | ±2% |
| Orange | 3 | ×1,000 | — |
| Yellow | 4 | ×10,000 | — |
| Green | 5 | ×100,000 | ±0.5% |
| Blue | 6 | ×1,000,000 | ±0.25% |
| Violet | 7 | ×10,000,000 | ±0.1% |
| Gray | 8 | ×100,000,000 | ±0.05% |
| White | 9 | ×1,000,000,000 | — |
| Gold | — | ×0.1 | ±5% |
| Silver | — | ×0.01 | ±10% |
Why use a 5-band resistor calculator?
Reading resistor colors by eye can be tricky, especially under poor lighting or with faded paint. A calculator helps you avoid wiring errors and saves time during prototyping, repair, and troubleshooting.
Practical benefits
- Reduces misreads between similar colors (e.g., red vs. orange, blue vs. violet).
- Shows tolerance range immediately, not just nominal value.
- Useful for students learning circuit design basics.
- Great for checking resistor bins before assembly.
Step-by-step usage guide
- Select the first three band colors for the significant digits.
- Select the fourth band for multiplier.
- Select the fifth band for tolerance.
- Click Calculate to see resistance and range.
If you already know your resistor should be close to a target value, compare the calculator output with a multimeter reading for verification.
Common mistakes to avoid
1) Reading from the wrong end
The tolerance band is usually separated slightly from the other bands and often uses gold/silver/brown/red in practical parts. Start from the opposite end.
2) Ignoring tolerance
A 10 kΩ resistor with ±5% tolerance can legally measure from 9.5 kΩ to 10.5 kΩ. That may matter a lot in precision circuits.
3) Confusing 4-band and 5-band parts
In 5-band resistors, you get three significant digits before multiplier. Don’t treat a 5-band resistor like a 4-band one.
Quick FAQ
Are 5-band resistors always precision resistors?
Most are tighter tolerance than typical 4-band parts, often ±1% or better, but always check the fifth band.
Can I rely only on color code?
For critical work, verify with a digital multimeter. Heat, age, and manufacturing variation can shift real-world readings.
What if a resistor has 6 bands?
A 6th band usually represents temperature coefficient (ppm/°C). This calculator is specifically for 5-band parts.