The electronic color code is used to indicate the values or ratings of electronic components, very common in resistors. Color bands were commonly used (especially on resistors) because they were easily printed on tiny components, decreasing construction costs.
To distinguish left from right there is a gap between the C and D bands.
- band A is first significant figure of component value (left side)
- band B is the second significant figure (Some precision resistors have a third significant figure, and thus five bands.)
- band C is the decimal multiplier
- band D if present, indicates tolerance of value in percent (no band means 20%)
| Color | Significant figures |
Multiplier | Tolerance | Temp. Coefficient (ppm/K) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | ×100 | – | 250 | U | |
| Brown | 1 | ×101 | ±1% | F | 100 | S |
| Red | 2 | ×102 | ±2% | G | 50 | R |
| Orange | 3 | ×103 | – | 15 | P | |
| Yellow | 4 | ×104 | (±5%) | – | 25 | Q |
| Green | 5 | ×105 | ±0.5% | D | 20 | Z |
| Blue | 6 | ×106 | ±0.25% | C | 10 | Z |
| Violet | 7 | ×107 | ±0.1% | B | 5 | M |
| Gray | 8 | ×108 | ±0.05% (±10%) | A | 1 | K |
| White | 9 | ×109 | – | – | ||
| Gold | – | ×10-1 | ±5% | J | – | |
| Silver | – | ×10-2 | ±10% | K | – | |
| None | – | – | ±20% | M | – | |
Graphical Resistance Value Calculator: http://www.dannyg.com/examples/res2/resistor.htm
