The color code chart is applicable to most of the common four band and five band resistors. Five band resistors are usually precision resistors with tolerances of 1% and 2%. Most of the four band resistors have tolerances of 5%, 10% and 20%.

The color codes of a resistor are read from left to right, with the tolerance band oriented to the right side. Match the color of the first band to its associated number under the digit column in the color chart. This is the first digit of the resistance value. Match the second band to its associated color under the digit column in the color chart to get the second digit of the resistance value.

Match the color band preceding the tolerance band (last band) to its associated number under the multiplier column on the chart. This number is the multiplier for the quantity previously indicated by the first two digits (four band resistor) or the first three digits (five band resistor) and is used to determine the total marked value of the resistor in ohms.

To determine the resistor's tolerance or possible variation in resistance from that indicated by the color bands, match the color of the last band to its associated number under the tolerance column. Multiply the total resistance value by this percentage.

For example, the first resistor shown at the top of this page has a resistance of (47 X 100) = 4700 ohms. The tolerance is plus or minus (10% X 4700) = plus or minus 470 ohms. The second resistor has a resistance of (470 X 1) = 470 ohms. The tolerance is plus or minus (2% X 470) = plus or minus 9.4 ohms.

The most common types of resistors are the E12 and E24 series. The E12 series of resistors are available in twelve resistance values per decade. The E24 series are available in twenty four resistance values per decade.