The most widely used resistor color coding is the 4-band. The first two bands of a three-band resistor always yield the first two digits of the resistance value. The multiplier is represented by the third band, and tolerance is represented by the fourth band.

Bands:

A: 1^st band – 1^st significant digit

B: 2^nd band – 2^nd significant digit

C: 3^rd band – multiplier

D: 4^th band – tolerance

For a 4-band resistor color code, start by identifying the tolerance band, which is often gold or silver. In this case, it’s gold, indicating a ±5% tolerance. Moving from the other end, the first band (brown) represents the 1st significant digit (1), the second band (red) is the 2nd significant digit (2), and the third band (green) signifies a multiplier of 10^5. Using the formula, you get a resistance value of 1,200 kΩ, with a tolerance of ±5%.

Resistor Color Code Chart

The Resistor Color Code Chart is a crucial tool for deciphering resistor codes. Like a chemist relies on the periodic table, you’ll use this chart extensively. It contains the information needed to calculate resistance values, which we’ll explore in examples later on.

• 1 x Resistor 4 band