Resistor Colour Code Calculator
A free resistor colour code calculator — choose the 1st band, 2nd band, multiplier and tolerance and instantly see the resistance value in ohms, along with a clear picture of exactly what the resistor looks like with those colour bands painted on it. Switch between 4-band and 5-band resistors, print the result or save it as a PDF.
Every through-hole resistor carries its value as a set of coloured stripes. Reading them off by eye is fiddly, so this tool turns it around: you pick each band's colour from the drop-downs and it does the maths for you. A standard 4-band resistor has two significant-figure bands, a multiplier band and a tolerance band. A 5-band precision resistor adds a third significant-figure digit before the multiplier. As you change any band, the resistor drawing repaints, the value updates and it is rewritten in tidy engineering units (Ω, kΩ or MΩ).
The colour system is standardised: black is 0, brown 1, red 2, orange 3, yellow 4, green 5, blue 6, violet 7, grey 8 and white 9 for the digit bands. The multiplier band uses the same colours as powers of ten, with gold meaning ×0.1 and silver ×0.01 for small values. The tolerance band tells you how far the real resistance may stray from the printed value — brown ±1%, red ±2%, gold ±5%, silver ±10%, and so on. The reference chart printed on the sheet lists every colour and what it means in each position.
Use it to check a resistor you've pulled from a drawer, to work out which resistor to fit for a target value, or as a teaching aid for electronics classes. The printable sheet keeps a labelled picture of the resistor plus the full colour chart, so it doubles as a handy bench reference you can pin above your workbench.
Printing at exact scale
Every sheet is drawn in real millimetres and prints at exact physical scale. For accurate output, set Scale = 100% (Actual size) and Margins = None in your browser's print dialog. Not sure your printer is honest? Run the printer ruler test first to confirm 50 mm really measures 50 mm. Prefer a file? Use the PDF, PNG or SVG buttons to download the sheet instead of printing — PDF and SVG keep the exact dimensions, and PNG is a 300 DPI image.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a resistor colour code?
For a 4-band resistor, the first two bands are digits, the third is a multiplier (a power of ten) and the fourth is the tolerance. Combine the two digits, multiply by the multiplier and you have the resistance in ohms. A 5-band resistor has three digit bands before the multiplier for extra precision.
What do the colours mean?
For the digit bands: black 0, brown 1, red 2, orange 3, yellow 4, green 5, blue 6, violet 7, grey 8, white 9. The multiplier band uses the same colours as powers of ten (brown ×10, red ×100, and so on), plus gold ×0.1 and silver ×0.01. Tolerance is usually gold ±5% or silver ±10%, with brown ±1% and red ±2% for tighter parts.
What's the difference between 4-band and 5-band resistors?
A 4-band resistor has two significant digits, so it can show values like 4.7 kΩ. A 5-band resistor adds a third digit, letting it show three significant figures (like 4.75 kΩ) for precision applications. This calculator supports both — just switch the number of bands selector.
Which end do I start reading from?
Hold the resistor so the tolerance band (often gold or silver, and usually spaced slightly apart from the others) is on the right. Read the bands from left to right. If neither end is gold or silver, start from the band nearest an edge.
What does the tolerance band tell me?
It's the manufacturing tolerance — how far the actual resistance may differ from the nominal value. Gold means ±5%, silver ±10%, brown ±1% and red ±2%. The sheet shows the resulting minimum and maximum resistance.
Can I work out the colours for a value I want?
Yes — set the digit and multiplier bands until the calculated value matches your target. The drawing and value update as you go, so you can dial in the exact resistance and see which colours to look for.
Is it really free?
Yes. Every template on printsheet.io is completely free, with no sign-up, no account and no watermark. Generate as many sheets as you like.
How do I get an exact-scale print?
Choose your paper size, then in the print dialog set Scale to 100% or “Actual size” and Margins to None. The sheet is defined in real millimetres, so it prints at true size. Use the calibration ruler page to verify.
Which paper sizes are supported?
A4, A5, A3, A6, US Letter, Legal and Tabloid, in portrait or landscape. Pick the size that matches the paper loaded in your printer.
Can I save it as a PDF instead of printing?
Yes — choose “Save as PDF” as the printer in your browser's print dialog. The PDF keeps the exact millimetre dimensions.
Can I download it as an image (PNG or SVG)?
Yes — as well as Print and PDF, every sheet has a PNG and an SVG download button. PNG gives you a high-resolution (300 DPI) image at the exact page size, ideal for pasting into a document or sharing. SVG is a scalable vector file that stays razor-sharp at any size and can be edited in tools like Inkscape or Illustrator. Both are generated in your browser from the sheet you see on screen.