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Resistance of a resistor: How to determine resistance

values
Temitayo Oketola

15 December 2022

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Figure 1: There are different approaches to determine the resistance values of resistors. Source: Igor Batenev/Adobe Stock Advertis

Resistors are essential passive components used in pretty much every electronic circuit to resist the flow of
electric current. However, the level by which resistors resist electric current primarily depends on the resistors'
resistance rating (or value).

There are different approaches to determine the resistance values of resistors. One such method involves
interpreting color bands on the resistors, and another involves using a digital multimeter.

This article presents helpful information about determining the resistance values of resistors. It will guide
technicians looking to understand resistor color code schemes and how to measure resistance using digital
multimeters.

Resistor color coding

Resistor color coding is used to provide information about small leaded resistors. It is defined in the Popular News
international standard IEC 60062, which provides marking codes for resistors and allows technicians to
determine the resistor's resistance, tolerance value and sometimes reliability. 1. The MAQ20 Data Acquisition
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Resistor color codes are given by several color bands that vary from three to six, with each type of color band empowering, adaptable and UL
listed
having its unique representation. Figure 1 presents a chart that allows technicians to determine resistors'
resistance and tolerance values with color bands. To use this chart, the technician only has to identify the
resistor color bands, understand what these bands represent and determine their values from the chart. 2. Swissbit introduces iShield Key Pro
with USB-C

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Figure 1: Resistor color coding. Source: Adim Kassn/CC SA 3.0

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Three or four-band resistors

In a three-band resistor, the first two bands represent the first two digits of the resistance value, while the third Email Address
band represents the multiplier. In a four-band resistor, the first three color bands have the same interpretation
as the three-band resistors. However, the fourth band denotes the tolerance value of the resistor.
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So, for example, consider the four-band resistor in Figure 2.
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Figure 2: Four-color band resistor. Source: Direct/CC SA 3.0

The first two colors of the band are red, so the first and second digits of the resistor are “2” and “2.” The third
color of the band is black, so the multiplier is obtained to be 1. Finally, the fourth color of the band is gold, so
the tolerance of the resistor is obtained to be ±5%.

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In five or six color band resistors, the first three bands represent the first three digits of the resistance value,
while the fourth and fifth bands denote the multiplier and tolerance values, respectively. The sixth color in a six
band resistor denotes the resistor’s temperature coefficient. This value gives the technician an idea about the
reliability of the resistor.

However, keep the following points in mind when reading resistance values using color codes:

In color-coding, resistors typically have the color band grouped together toward one end. The resistance
color code reading starts from the side of the grouped band.
A resistor with a single black band is a zero-ohm. It is basically a wire link to connect wire traces on a
PCB (printed circuit board).

[Learn more about resistor color coding and power rating on Globalspec.com]

How to measure resistance using a multimeter

More often than not, technicians find resistors with faded colors, making it challenging to determine the
resistance value using the color-coding approach. In such a scenario, a multimeter can be used to measure the
resistance value of the resistor.

To measure the resistance of a resistor using a multimeter,

technicians should follow the steps below:

1. Set the multimeter such that the black probe is inserted

into the COM (common) port, and the red probe is inserted
into the port having the visible voltage (V) or Ohm sign (Ω).
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2. Turn on the multimeter.

3. Set the multimeter dial so that the arrow points to the Get the GlobalSpec
ohm (Ω) symbol. Digital multimeters typically have a Electronics360 Newsletter
measuring range of 6 Ω to 6k Ω (in 6, 60, 600, 6,000 Ω
step). Technicians should select the range so that the
expected resistance value is less than but close to the
maximum of the range
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4. Place the multimeter probes on the terminals of the
and more on the end-to-end electronics value chain.
resistor and read the measured value from the display
screen of the multimeter.
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Engineers and technicians are advised to take the
following precaution while using the multimeter to
measure resistance.

Remove the resistor from the circuit connection or

power off the circuit before taking measurements.
Also, discharge all capacitors in the circuit before
taking resistance measurements. You can change your email preferences at any time.
Avoid touching the terminals of the resistor as it Read our full privacy policy.
might alter the resistance of the resistor.
Figure 3: A digital multimeter. Source: Cjp24/CC SA 3.0

Conclusion
While this article presents helpful information to determine the resistance values of resistors, technicians are
advised to reach out to resistor suppliers for the necessary manuals and documentation on their resistors.
To contact the author of this article, email GlobalSpecEditors@globalspec.com

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