CHAPTER 5 ■ NUMBERS AND UNITS
If the color table seems difficult to remember (the middle section is in rainbow order), a common
compact cardboard color code calculator can come in handy (see Figure 5-8).
Table 5-4. Color Value Bands
Color First Band Second Band Third Band
Black 0 0 × 1
Brown 1 1 × 10
Red 2 2 × 100
Orange 3 3 × 1000 (kilo-)
Yellow 4 4 × 10000
Green 5 5 × 100000
Blue 6 6 × 1000000 (mega-)
Violet 7 7 ..
Gray 8 8 ..
White 9 9 ..
Figure 5-7. Color bands of yellow, violet, brown, and gold (470 at 5% Tolerance)
For example, a part with a yellow (4) stripe, a violet (7) stripe, and a brown (x 10) stripe would be
47 × 10 = 470. A part with red (2), red (2), red (× 100) would be 22 × 100 = 2200.
Looking at the color table (see Table 5-4), it may occur to you that on a small, cylindrical, poorly printed
object, it may be quite difficult to distinguish red stripes from orange stripes or black stripes from brown
stripes. You’re correct—use good lighting or measure with a multimeter.