4 Band Resistor Color Code Calculator & Guide
The 4-band resistor color code is the most widespread standard found in consumer electronics, automotive circuits, and DIY hobbyist projects. It uses two significant digit bands, one multiplier band, and one tolerance band.
Resistor Color Code Calculator
Select band count and click colors below to calculate resistance and tolerance.
Select Band Colors
Click any swatch to change value
Reverse Resistor Color Code Lookup
Enter resistance value in Ohms (Ω) to determine the exact color bands.
Enter Target Resistance
Live ValidationCommon Questions About 4 Band Resistor Color Code Calculator & Guide
How do you read a 4-band resistor?▼
Read from left to right, starting at the lead opposite the gold or silver tolerance band. Band 1 is the first digit, Band 2 is the second digit, Band 3 is the multiplier (power of 10), and Band 4 is the tolerance percentage.
Which band is the tolerance on a 4-band resistor?▼
The fourth band, usually separated by a slightly wider physical gap and colored Gold (±5%) or Silver (±10%), is the tolerance band.
What if there are only 3 color bands on my resistor?▼
A 3-band resistor has no tolerance band. By standard convention, its tolerance is default ±20%.
Complete Resistor Color Code Chart
View the full 12-color lookup matrix covering significant figures 0–9, multipliers from 0.01 to 1G, and tolerance bands from ±0.05% to ±20%. Includes searchable values and instant CSV export.
How to Read & Calculate Resistor Bands
Learn step-by-step reading rules, standard E-series decade values (E12, E24, E96), memory mnemonics, and surface-mount (SMD) 3-digit and EIA-96 code conversion formulas.
Popular Resistor Color Code Guides & Calculators
Jump directly to pre-calculated stripe guides for common standard resistances or explore individual band systems.