Resistor Color Codes

A practical resistor color chart for digits, multipliers, tolerances, and six-band temperature coefficients.

Learn what changes between three-band and four-band resistor markings, including the assumed tolerance.

Distinguish three significant digits, tolerance, and the extra temperature coefficient band in precision resistors.

Understand what gold, silver, brown, red, and precision tolerance bands mean for the usable resistance range.

Decode the sixth resistor band and understand how ppm/K describes resistance change with temperature.

Use spacing, color availability, and circuit context to identify the correct end of a resistor.

Work backward from an ohm value to a practical three-, four-, five-, or six-band color sequence.

Understand common surface-mount resistor markings and why package, manufacturer, and datasheet context matters.