Resistor Color Code Calculator · Practical guide
Brown Black Red Gold Resistor Value
Brown-black-red-gold is one of the most common resistors in electronics: 1 kΩ with ±5% tolerance.
At a glance
The Answer: 1,000 Ω ±5%
A resistor with the color bands brown, black, red, gold has a value of 1,000 ohms (1 kΩ) with a tolerance of ±5%. Its actual measured resistance can fall anywhere between 950 Ω and 1,050 Ω and still be within spec.
Interactive tool
Resistor Color Code Calculator
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
Resistor Value
Band-by-Band Breakdown
| Band | Color | Meaning | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st digit | Brown | First digit | 1 |
| 2nd digit | Black | Second digit | 0 |
| Multiplier | Red | ×100 | 10 × 100 = 1,000 |
| Tolerance | Gold | ±5% | 950 – 1,050 Ω |
What If the Last Band Is Silver Instead?
Brown-black-red-silver is still a 1 kΩ resistor, but with a wider ±10% tolerance, so the acceptable range becomes 900 Ω to 1,100 Ω. Brown and red tolerance bands mean ±1% and ±2% respectively and are typical of precision metal-film resistors.
The 5-Band Equivalent
A precision 1 kΩ resistor usually carries five bands: brown-black-black-brown plus a tolerance band. The three digits 1-0-0 with a brown multiplier (×10) give 100 × 10 = 1,000 Ω. If the tolerance band is brown, the range tightens to ±1%, or 990 Ω to 1,010 Ω.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is brown black red gold the same as 1k?
Yes. Brown-black-red-gold decodes to 1,000 Ω, which is written as 1 kΩ. The gold band only indicates the ±5% tolerance, not part of the value.
What is brown black red gold in a 5-band resistor?
Five bands change the pattern. The same 1 kΩ value in 5-band form is brown-black-black-brown plus a tolerance band, because 5-band resistors use three digits before the multiplier.
How much power can a 1 kΩ resistor handle?
The color code says nothing about wattage. Common through-hole resistors are rated 1/4 W, but you judge power rating by physical size, not by the bands.
Where is a 1 kΩ resistor typically used?
It is one of the most common values in electronics: pull-up and pull-down resistors, LED current limiting at higher voltages, and transistor base resistors are typical uses.