Need a primer on resistors, including what they are, what they do, decoding color-coded resistors, resistor types, etc.? Click on any of the below imagines to redirect you to a useful technical resource on resistors written by member Joe Coco, proprietor of wjoe.com, the club resource for vintage electronics restoration parts, including resistors.

Quick reference guides on reading and decoding 4-band, 4, 5 and 6-band, and “dogbone” resistors are immediately below. Click on any of the images for more information from wjoe.com.

Color-Coded Resistors

Resistors with Printed Information

Types – Potentiometers, Rheostats, Trimmers, etc.

Hidden

Decoding 4-Band Resistors

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Decoding 4, 5 and 6-Band Resistors

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Decoding “Dogbone” Resistors

Reference charts for decoding “dogbone” resistors follow: