How to Identify Resistors Color Code

Understanding is key for you to be in a position to read resistor color codes, you also need to have an understanding of the math behind each band that is used in the indication of resistance, tolerance, value, and even temperature coefficient.

Identify Resistors Color Code

Resistors come in different physical sizes, values, and shapes. Leaded resistors that have a power rating of up to one watt have a pattern of colored bands that are used to indicate tolerance, resistance value, and temperature coefficient.

The body of the resistor can have anywhere from three to six colored bands, however, four bands are very common. The value of the resistance is represented by the first few bands. There’s also the multiplier band which signifies movements in the decimal either to the right or left. Lastly, you have the bands that represent tolerance and the temperature coefficient.

Three or Four Band Resistors

For the three or four band resistors, the first two bands are used to denote the first two digits of the resistance value in ohms. The third band represents the multiplier which basically shifts the decimal place around so as to change the value from megaohms to milliohms including the values in between.

Five or Six Band Resistors

This range works for resistors that have high precision, they come with an extra color band which indicates the third significant digit. In the event that you find a resistor with five or six colors remember that the third one is the additional digit along with bands one and two.

Zero-ohm resistor?

Zero-ohm resistors are recognized by their single black band, they are basically wire links used to connect traces on a printed circuit board. They are packaged like a resistor so the same automated equipment used to place resistors can also be used to place these on the circuit board.

Memorizing the order of colors on the chart?

You can set the color chart to your memory by thinking of black as the absence of color, so it is “0”, while white is the combination of all colors, so it is the highest value, “9”. In the middle of the color chart, you will find the standard rainbow colors in order for numbers 2 through 7, so your childhood ROY-G-BIV acronym comes into play, minus the color indigo.

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