Pick the color for each band to instantly decode a 5-band resistor value, tolerance, and expected resistance range.
Tolerance: ±1%
Possible range: 9.9 KΩ to 10.1 KΩ
How a 5-band resistor calculator works
A 5-band resistor uses three significant digits, one multiplier band, and one tolerance band. That format gives better precision than 4-band resistors, which is why you usually see 5-band parts in measurement circuits, audio electronics, instrumentation, and calibrated designs.
This calculator decodes the color bands using the standard resistor color code and gives you:
- Nominal resistance in ohms
- Human-readable units (KΩ, MΩ, etc.)
- Tolerance percentage
- Minimum and maximum expected resistance range
Band-by-band meaning
Band 1, Band 2, Band 3 (significant digits)
The first three bands form a three-digit number. Example: Brown, Black, Black becomes 100.
Band 4 (multiplier)
The multiplier tells you what to multiply the three-digit number by. Example: Red multiplier means ×100. So 100 × 100 = 10,000 Ω.
Band 5 (tolerance)
Tolerance tells you the acceptable variation around the nominal value. For a 10,000 Ω resistor at ±1%, the real value may range from 9,900 Ω to 10,100 Ω.
Quick color reference
Digit colors (0–9)
- Black 0, Brown 1, Red 2, Orange 3, Yellow 4
- Green 5, Blue 6, Violet 7, Gray 8, White 9
Common multiplier colors
- Silver ×0.01, Gold ×0.1, Black ×1
- Brown ×10, Red ×100, Orange ×1K, Yellow ×10K
- Green ×100K, Blue ×1M, Violet ×10M
Common tolerance colors
- Brown ±1%, Red ±2%
- Green ±0.5%, Blue ±0.25%, Violet ±0.1%, Gray ±0.05%
- Gold ±5%, Silver ±10%
Worked examples
Example 1: Brown, Black, Black, Red, Brown
Digits: 1-0-0 → 100. Multiplier: Red ×100. Tolerance: Brown ±1%.
Result: 10,000 Ω (10 KΩ) ±1%
Example 2: Red, Violet, Black, Brown, Red
Digits: 2-7-0 → 270. Multiplier: Brown ×10. Tolerance: Red ±2%.
Result: 2,700 Ω (2.7 KΩ) ±2%
Example 3: Orange, Orange, Black, Gold, Gold
Digits: 3-3-0 → 330. Multiplier: Gold ×0.1. Tolerance: Gold ±5%.
Result: 33 Ω ±5%
Common mistakes when reading resistor bands
- Reading from the wrong side of the resistor.
- Confusing brown vs. red in poor lighting.
- Mixing up the third digit and multiplier in 5-band parts.
- Ignoring tolerance when troubleshooting sensitive circuits.
When to use a 5-band resistor calculator
Use this tool whenever you are prototyping, repairing PCB assemblies, verifying component bins, or checking replacements from mixed resistor packs. It is especially useful if the print on SMD labels is unclear or if you are learning resistor color code interpretation for electronics classes.