5 Band Resistor Color Code Calculator & Precision Chart
The 5-band resistor code is designed for high-precision metal film resistors requiring tighter tolerances (±1%, ±0.5%, ±0.1%). It provides three significant digit bands, one multiplier band, and one tolerance band.
How to Read 5 Band Resistor Color Code Calculator & Precision Chart
Hold the resistor so the tolerance band (Gold ±5% or Silver ±10%, separated by a wider physical gap) is positioned on the right. Read the remaining colored stripes from left to right:
| Band Position | Function | Permitted Values |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | 1st Significant Digit | 0 to 9 (Black to White) |
| Band 2 | 2nd Significant Digit | 0 to 9 (Black to White) |
| Band 3 | 3rd Significant Digit | 0 to 9 (Precision Mantissa) |
| Band 4 | Multiplier (Power of 10) | 10⁻² (Silver) to 10⁹ (White) |
| Band 5 | Tolerance Percentage | ±5% (Gold) to ±0.05% (Grey) |
- 1.Identify the Gap: Resistors feature a wider physical gap separating the multiplier/digits from the tolerance band.
- 2.Identify Tolerance Metal: A Gold or Silver band is never a first digit; it always marks the tolerance band on the right.
- 3.Combine Mantissa & Multiply: Group the digit numbers together (e.g. Red 2 + Red 2 = 22) and multiply by the multiplier color (Orange ×1,000 = 22 kΩ).
Resistor Color Code Calculator
Select band count and click colors below to calculate resistance and tolerance.
Select Band Colors
Click any swatch to change value
Reverse Resistor Color Code Lookup
Enter resistance value in Ohms (Ω) to determine the exact color bands.
Enter Target Resistance
Live ValidationCommon Questions About 5 Band Resistor Color Code Calculator & Precision Chart
What is the difference between a 4-band and 5-band resistor?▼
A 4-band resistor has two significant digit bands and one multiplier band. A 5-band resistor adds a third significant digit band, allowing 3-digit mantissas (e.g. 100 × 10 = 1,000 Ω) and higher precision (E48, E96 series).
Which way do you read a 5-band resistor?▼
Find the tolerance stripe at one end (typically Brown ±1%, Red ±2%, or separated by a wider space) and position it to the right. Read the three digits and multiplier from the left.
Complete Resistor Color Code Chart
View the full 12-color lookup matrix covering significant figures 0–9, multipliers from 0.01 to 1G, and tolerance bands from ±0.05% to ±20%. Includes searchable values and instant CSV export.
How to Read & Calculate Resistor Bands
Learn step-by-step reading rules, standard E-series decade values (E12, E24, E96), memory mnemonics, and surface-mount (SMD) 3-digit and EIA-96 code conversion formulas.
Popular Resistor Color Code Guides & Calculators
Jump directly to pre-calculated stripe guides for common standard resistances or explore individual band systems.