1. What is a 5-Band Resistor Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the resistance value and tolerance of 5-band resistors based on their color codes.

Purpose: It helps electronics engineers, technicians, and hobbyists quickly identify resistor values without manual calculation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( R \) — Resistance value (ohms)
• \( band1 \) — First significant digit
• \( band2 \) — Second significant digit
• \( band3 \) — Third significant digit
• \( band4 \) — Multiplier (power of 10)
• \( band5 \) — Tolerance (± percentage)

Explanation: The first three bands represent digits, the fourth is the multiplier, and the fifth indicates tolerance.

3. Importance of Resistor Color Codes

Details: Color coding allows quick identification of resistor values and tolerances, which is crucial for circuit design and troubleshooting.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select the color for each band from the dropdown menus. The calculator will display the resistance value and tolerance range.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does a 5-band resistor have an extra digit?
A: 5-band resistors provide higher precision with three significant digits instead of two.

Q2: How do I read the resistor bands?
A: Hold the resistor with the tolerance band (usually gold or silver) to the right. Read left to right.

Q3: What if my resistor has 4 bands?
A: For 4-band resistors, leave the third digit as 0 (black) in this calculator.

Q4: What does the tolerance band mean?
A: It indicates how much the actual resistance may vary from the marked value (e.g., ±1%).

Q5: How are very high or low values displayed?
A: Values are automatically converted to appropriate units (Ω, KΩ, MΩ) for readability.