This chart is perhaps the fastest way to decode the value of a resistor. Simply match the colors of the bands, and read off the value. After you use it for a little while, you’ll be decoding resistors with a single quick glance.
I created this to demonstrate how clever graphic design can often beat interactive software. There are a lot of resistor-decoding widgets and websites out there, and they are all incredibly tedious to use. When you’ve got your hands full of soldering equipment, the last thing you want to do is navigate through pull-down menus.
This chart requires zero interaction, zero memorization, and zero mental arithmetic. Just let your eyes do the work.
If you would like to print this out and hang it near your workbench, you can download the PDF.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: The latest on Raspberry Pi RP2350-E9, Bluetooth 6, 4,000 Stars and more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
I like the concept, as I’m always teaching people that resistors should be read like words; one should get to the point where you just look at the colours yellow, violet, orange and think “47K” without “sounding it out”.
However this chart needs to be tweaked to cover the preferred values to be of any use that way.
I like the concept, as I’m always teaching people that resistors should be read like words; one should get to the point where you just look at the colours yellow, violet, orange and think “47K” without “sounding it out”.
However this chart needs to be tweaked to cover the preferred values to be of any use that way.