220 Ohm Resistor

Popular choice for LED current limiting in 5V circuits

E12 Series
±5%, ±1% Tolerance
0.25W, 0.5W Power
Color Code Configurations

3-Band Configuration

1st2nd×

3-band: Red-Red-Brown

Red
Red
Brown

4-Band Configuration

1st2nd×±

4-band: Red-Red-Brown-Gold (±5%)

Red
Red
Brown
Gold

5-Band Configuration

1st2nd3rd×±

5-band: Red-Red-Black-Brown-Brown (±1%)

Red
Red
Black
Brown
Brown

6-Band Configuration

1st2nd3rd×±TC

6-band: Red-Red-Black-Brown-Brown-Brown (±1%, 100ppm/°C)

Red
Red
Black
Brown
Brown
Brown
Practical Applications

LED Current Limiting

Perfect for limiting current in 5V LED circuits to ~20mA

Base Resistors

Controls base current in small-signal transistor circuits

Voltage Dividers

Creates specific voltage ratios in analog circuits

Pull-up Resistors

Weak pull-up for digital inputs in low-power applications

Detailed Information

The 220 ohm resistor is perhaps most famous for its role in LED circuits, particularly in 5V systems. It provides the perfect current limiting for standard LEDs, ensuring they operate within safe parameters while providing adequate brightness. Beyond LED applications, it's also used in base resistor circuits for transistors and various voltage divider configurations.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Perfect for standard LED current limiting
  • Calculate LED current: (Vsupply - Vled) / R
  • Most common resistor in LED projects
  • Good starting point for transistor base resistors
Specifications
Resistance:
220Ω
Tolerance:±5%, ±1%
Power Rating:0.25W, 0.5W
Temp. Coeff.:±100 ppm/°C
Voltage Rating:Up to 250V
Series:E12
Circuit Calculations
Current At5 V:
22.7mA
Power At5 V:
0.11W
Led Current At5 V:
~20mA

Why Choose 220Ω Resistors?

Key Benefits

  • Standard E12 series value for universal compatibility
  • Available in multiple tolerance and power ratings
  • Cost-effective and widely available
  • Suitable for both hobbyist and professional applications

Technical Advantages

  • Stable performance across temperature ranges
  • Low noise characteristics for sensitive circuits
  • Multiple package sizes available
  • Compatible with automated assembly processes