220 Ω resistor color code

A 220 Ω resistor is marked red-red-brown-gold on a 4-band (±5%) resistor and red-red-black-black-brown on a 5-band (±1%) resistor. Its SMD marking is 221 or 2200.

4-band ±5%: Red-Red-Brown-Gold

5-band ±1%: Red-Red-Black-Black-Brown

6-band ±1%, 100 ppm/K: Red-Red-Black-Black-Brown-Brown

Reading the bands

Band	4-band (±5%)	5-band (±1%)
1	Red — 1st digit 2	Red — 1st digit 2
2	Red — 2nd digit 2	Red — 2nd digit 2
3	Brown — Multiplier ×10	Black — 3rd digit 0
4	Gold — Tolerance ±5%	Black — Multiplier ×1
5	—	Brown — Tolerance ±1%

Check: 22 ×10 = 220 Ω; 220 ×1 = 220 Ω. A ±5% part measures between 209 Ω and 231 Ω.

Codes and series

Schematic notation	`220R`
SMD 3-digit	`221`
SMD 4-digit	`2200`
EIA-96	none (not an E96 value)
E-series	E3, E6, E12, E24
Neighbouring E24 values	200 Ω and 240 Ω

Typical uses

The 220 Ω resistor is the one in almost every Arduino starter kit: in series with a red LED on 5 V it sets about 14 mA, bright but well within the pin rating. It is also used for LED segments on 7-segment displays and as a protective series resistor on GPIO lines.

Current and power at common voltages

The current and heat in a 220 Ω resistor depend on the voltage across the resistor itself (not necessarily the supply voltage). Choose a resistor rated at least twice the power shown.

Voltage across it	Current	Power	Minimum rating
3.3 V	15 mA	49.5 mW	1/8 W
5 V	22.7 mA	114 mW	1/4 W
9 V	40.9 mA	368 mW	1 W
12 V	54.5 mA	655 mW	2 W
24 V	109 mA	2.62 W	10 W

Don't mix it up with

Values with the same digits differ only in the multiplier band, so check that band carefully:

Value	4-band code	Multiplier band
2.2 Ω	Red-Red-Gold-Gold	Gold ×0.1
22 Ω	Red-Red-Black-Gold	Black ×1
220 Ω	Red-Red-Brown-Gold	Brown ×10
2.2 kΩ	Red-Red-Red-Gold	Red ×100
22 kΩ	Red-Red-Orange-Gold	Orange ×1k

FAQ

What color code is a 220 Ω resistor?

A 220 Ω ±5% resistor is red-red-brown-gold (4 bands). A 220 Ω ±1% resistor is red-red-black-black-brown (5 bands).

What is the SMD code for 220 Ω?

221 on 3-digit (±5%) parts and 2200 on 4-digit (±1%) parts. It has no EIA-96 code because it is not an E96 value.

Is 220 Ω a standard resistor value?

Yes, it is in the E3, E6, E12, E24 series.

How much power does a 220 Ω resistor dissipate at 5 V?

With 5 V across it, 114 mW (P = V² ÷ R). A 1/4 W or larger resistor is enough.

Open 220 Ω in the calculator →All values

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