Resistor Color Code Decoder: 10K, 220 Ohm, More
The humble resistor is the lowest cost component in our maker box, but it is also incredibly useful. In the how to use resistors guide they talk about the use, but the focus of this guide is understanding the colored bands which wrap around the center of the resistor. These resistor color codes tell us exactly how many Ohms of current each unit handles.
How do we read a resistor color code? Why are some resistor color codes four bands and others five bands? What resistor do I need for an LED? We answer all of these questions and give you the tools to quickly calculate the correct resistor for all of your projects.
Common Resistor Color Codes and Their Uses
| Resistor Type | 4-Band Color Code | 5-Band Color Code | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Ohm | Brown-Black-Brown-Gold | Brown-Black-Black-Black-Gold | LED Light Protection |
| 220 Ohm | Red-Red-Brown-Gold | Red-Red-Black-Black-Gold | LED Light Protection |
| 330 Ohm | Orange-Orange-Brown-Gold | Orange-Orange-Black-Black-Gold | LED Light Protection |
| 1K Ohm (1 Kiloohm) | Brown-Black-Red-Gold | Brown-Black-Black-Brown-Gold | LED Protection, Voltage Divider |
| 4.7K Ohm | Yellow-Purple-Red-Gold | Yellow-Purple-Black-Brown-Gold | Pull-up/down resistor for I2C |
| 10k Ohm | Brown-Black-Orange-Gold | Brown-Black-Black-Red-Gold | Pull-up/down resistor |
| 100K Ohm | Brown-Black-Yellow-Gold | Brown-Black-Black-Orange-Gold | Bleed resistor for capacitor |
| 1 Megaohm | Brown-Black-Green-Gold | Brown-Black-Black-Yellow-Gold | Capacitive touch circuits |
Resistor Color Code: Quick Reference
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