Colour Code for Resistors

The colour code system is used to indicate the resistance value on carbon resistors using coloured bands. Usually, 4-band resistors are used. The bands represent:

  1. 1st band: First significant digit
  2. 2nd band: Second significant digit
  3. 3rd band: Multiplier (power of 10)
  4. 4th band: Tolerance

Colour Code Table

Colour Digit Multiplier Tolerance
Black0\( \times 10^0 \)
Brown1\( \times 10^1 \)±1%
Red2\( \times 10^2 \)±2%
Orange3\( \times 10^3 \)
Yellow4\( \times 10^4 \)
Green5\( \times 10^5 \)±0.5%
Blue6\( \times 10^6 \)±0.25%
Violet7\( \times 10^7 \)±0.1%
Gray8\( \times 10^8 \)±0.05%
White9\( \times 10^9 \)
Gold\( \times 10^{-1} \)±5%
Silver\( \times 10^{-2} \)±10%
None±20%

Formula:

\[ \text{Resistance} = (AB) \times 10^C \quad \text{with tolerance } \pm D\% \]

Example 1:

Red – Violet – Yellow – Gold

Digits: Red = 2, Violet = 7, Yellow = \( \times 10^4 \), Tolerance = ±5%

\[ R = (27) \times 10^4 = 270000 \, \Omega = 270 \, k\Omega \pm 5\% \]

Example 2:

Brown – Black – Red – Silver

Digits: Brown = 1, Black = 0, Red = \( \times 10^2 \), Tolerance = ±10%

\[ R = (10) \times 10^2 = 1000 \, \Omega = 1 \, k\Omega \pm 10\% \]

This is how the colour bands are used to read resistance values and tolerances for carbon resistors.