4-Band Inductor Color Code Calculator

Click on each band to select its color. The inductance value will update automatically.

1st Digit 2nd Digit Multiplier Tolerance
Inductance: 10μH ±5%
Raw Value: 10 μH | Color Code: Brown-Black-Silver-Gold
Black (0)
Brown (1)
Red (2)
Orange (3)
Yellow (4)
Green (5)
Blue (6)
Violet (7)
Gray (8)
White (9)
Gold (±5%)
Silver (±10%)

5-Band Inductor Color Code Calculator

Click on each band to select its color. The inductance value will update automatically.

1st Digit 2nd Digit 3rd Digit Multiplier Tolerance
Inductance: 100μH ±5%
Raw Value: 100 μH | Color Code: Brown-Black-Black-Silver-Gold
Black (0)
Brown (1)
Red (2)
Orange (3)
Yellow (4)
Green (5)
Blue (6)
Violet (7)
Gray (8)
White (9)
Gold (±5%)
Silver (±10%)

Series Inductors Calculator

Enter inductor values to calculate the equivalent inductance in series.

Equivalent Inductance: 32.00 mH
Calculation: Leq = L1 + L2 = 10 mH + 22 mH = 32 mH

Parallel Inductors Calculator

Enter inductor values to calculate the equivalent inductance in parallel.

Equivalent Inductance: 6.88 mH
Calculation: 1/Leq = 1/L1 + 1/L2 = 1/10 + 1/22 = 0.1455 H⁻¹

Theory of Inductors in Series and Parallel

Inductors in Series

When inductors are connected in series, the equivalent inductance is calculated by adding the individual inductances:

Leq = L1 + L2 + L3 + ... + Ln

This means the equivalent inductance is always larger than the largest individual inductor in the series.

Inductors in Parallel

When inductors are connected in parallel, the equivalent inductance is calculated using:

1/Leq = 1/L1 + 1/L2 + 1/L3 + ... + 1/Ln

This means the equivalent inductance is always smaller than the smallest individual inductor in the parallel connection.

Physical Explanation

Series connection: In series, the same current flows through each inductor, and the voltage drops add up. The total inductance is the sum of individual inductances because the magnetic fields add constructively.

Parallel connection: In parallel, the voltage across each inductor is the same, but the currents divide. The total inductance is less than any individual inductance because the magnetic fields interact to reduce the overall inductance.

Important Notes

  • These formulas assume no mutual coupling between inductors
  • For mutually coupled inductors, calculations are more complex
  • In real circuits, always consider the inductor's DC resistance and self-resonant frequency

Inductance Unit Converter

Convert between different inductance units quickly and easily.

Conversion Result:

1 μH = 1,000 nH = 1,000,000 pH

1 μH = 0.001 mH = 0.000001 H

Unit Conversion Factors

  • 1 Henry (H) = 1,000 millihenries (mH)
  • 1 millihenry (mH) = 1,000 microhenries (μH)
  • 1 microhenry (μH) = 1,000 nanohenries (nH)
  • 1 nanohenry (nH) = 1,000 picohenries (pH)
  • 1 kilohenry (kH) = 1,000 Henry (H)

Inductor Design Calculator

Design air-core inductors by specifying physical parameters.

Calculated Inductance
1.26 μH
Wire Length
0.63 m
DC Resistance
0.32 Ω
Quality Factor (Q)
45.6

Air-Core Inductor Formula

The inductance of an air-core solenoid is calculated using:

L = (μ₀ × N² × A) / l

Where:

  • L = Inductance in Henries
  • μ₀ = Permeability of free space (4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m)
  • N = Number of turns
  • A = Cross-sectional area of coil (m²)
  • l = Length of coil (m)

Inductor Information

Inductor Color Code Chart

Color 1st Digit 2nd Digit Multiplier Tolerance
Black 0 0 1μH -
Brown 1 1 10μH ±1%
Red 2 2 100μH ±2%
Orange 3 3 1mH ±3%
Yellow 4 4 10mH ±4%
Green 5 5 100mH ±0.5%
Blue 6 6 1H ±0.25%
Violet 7 7 10H ±0.1%
Gray 8 8 100H ±0.05%
White 9 9 1000H -
Gold - - 0.1μH ±5%
Silver - - 0.01μH ±10%

Common Inductor Types

Air Core
Low inductance, high frequency
Ferrite Core
Medium inductance, RF applications
Iron Core
High inductance, power applications
Toroidal
Minimal EMI, high efficiency

Unit Conversions

  • 1 Henry (H) = 1,000 millihenries (mH)
  • 1 millihenry (mH) = 1,000 microhenries (μH)
  • 1 microhenry (μH) = 1,000 nanohenries (nH)
  • 1 nanohenry (nH) = 1,000 picohenries (pH)

Calculation History

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