Resistor color code and series/parallel calculator
Read the bands from left to right (the tolerance band, often gold or silver, is on the right) and pick their colors. Or switch to “Series / parallel”.
Result
4.7 kΩValue
- Tolerance
- 5%
- Real value between
- 4.47 kΩ – 4.94 kΩ
- Value in ohms
- 4,700 Ω
Inputs
- Calculation
- Color code
- Number of bands
- 4 bands
- Band 1 (digit)
- Yellow (4)
- Band 2 (digit)
- Violet (7)
- Band 3
- Red (2)
- Band 4
- Gold (×0.1 / ±5%)
How it is calculated
4 bands: 2 digits, a multiplier (power of 10), a tolerance. 5 bands: 3 digits, then multiplier and tolerance.
Result
Value
- Tolerance
- 5%
- Real value between
- 4.47 kΩ – 4.94 kΩ
- Value in ohms
- 4,700 Ω
How it is calculated
- 4 bands: 2 digits, a multiplier (power of 10), a tolerance. 5 bands: 3 digits, then multiplier and tolerance.
- Value = digits × multiplier; range = value ± tolerance.
- Series: R = R₁ + R₂ + … Parallel: 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …
Example
Yellow, violet, red, gold: 47 × 100 = 4,700 Ω = 4.7 kΩ at ±5%, so between 4.47 and 4.94 kΩ. In series, 100 + 220 + 470 = 790 Ω; in parallel, about 59.98 Ω.
Good to know
- Colors can be hard to tell apart: if in doubt, measure with a multimeter.
- 6-band resistors (temperature coefficient) are not handled: ignore the 6th band.
Frequently asked questions
What is this tool used for?
Read the bands from left to right (the tolerance band, often gold or silver, is on the right) and pick their colors. Or switch to “Series / parallel”.
How is the result calculated?
4 bands: 2 digits, a multiplier (power of 10), a tolerance. 5 bands: 3 digits, then multiplier and tolerance.
What should I check before using the result?
Colors can be hard to tell apart: if in doubt, measure with a multimeter.