How to Read Resistor Color Codes
1. Determine Reading Direction
4. Calculation Example
Position the resistor so the band closest to the edge (or with a wider gap from others) faces right. Read from left to right.
2. Read Significant Digits4-band: Use the first 2 bands as significant digits.
5-band: Use the first 3 bands as significant digits.
Appendix: Resistor Color Code Chart
3. Multiplier & Tolerance
Black: 0
Brown: 1
Red: 2
Orange: 3
Yellow: 4
Green: 5
Blue: 6
Violet: 7
Gray: 8
White: 9
Second-last band represents power of 10 (multiplier).
Last band indicates tolerance:
Brown: ±1%
Red: ±2%
Green: ±0.5%
Blue: ±0.25%
Violet: ±0.1%
Gray: ±0.05%
Gold: ±5%
Silver: ±10%
None: ±20%
Yellow Violet Orange Gold → 47 × 10³ Ω ±5 % = 47 kΩ ±5 %