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Resistor Value To Colour Code Calculator

Work out resistor value to colour code instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Resistor Value To Colour Code Calculator

Going from a value to bands means normalising to two significant digits and a power of ten: 4,700 becomes 4, 7 and a multiplier of 100, giving yellow-violet-red. The nearest E12 preferred value is shown too, because arbitrary values are not manufactured — only the E series steps are.

Formula

Value to code

Normalise to two digits x 10^n; digits give bands 1 and 2 and n gives the multiplier colour

Worked example

With the default values below, Resistor Value To Colour Code Calculator returns Colour bands of Yellow - Violet - Red - Gold. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Resistance value
4,700 Ω
Tolerance
5 %

Results

Colour bands
Yellow - Violet - Red - Gold
Significant digits
47
Multiplier
2 x
Nearest E12 preferred value
4,700.00 Ω

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Value to code
  3. 3Colour bands= Yellow - Violet - Red - Gold
  4. 4Significant digits= 47
  5. 5Multiplier= 2 x
  6. 6Nearest E12 preferred value= 4,700.00 Ω

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Electrical results are planning estimates only. Verify against the applicable wiring rules (IEC 60364, BS 7671, NEC or local code) and have all installation work designed and checked by a qualified electrician.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Electrical results are planning estimates only. Verify against the applicable wiring rules (IEC 60364, BS 7671, NEC or local code) and have all installation work designed and checked by a qualified electrician.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are E12 and E24 series?

Standard value sets spaced so that consecutive values differ by about their tolerance. E12 has 12 values per decade for 10% parts, E24 has 24 for 5% parts.

Why is 4.7k so common?

Because it is an E12 value. Nearly all through-hole resistors are made only in E12 or E24 steps, so designs converge on them.

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