4.7k Resistor Color Codes, Uses, and Types

The 4.7k resistor, also written as 4k7, is one of the most common parts used in electronic circuits. It helps control how much current flows and is found in both simple and complex designs. You’ll see it in voltage dividers, signal filters, LED circuits, and more. In this guide, we’ll explain what a 4.7k resistor is, how to read its color bands, where it’s used, and how to pick the right one for your project whether you’re building by hand or working on a finished PCB.

Catalog

What is a 4k7 Resistor?

A 4k7 resistor is a standard electronic component with a resistance value of 4,700 ohms. In resistor labeling, the letter k stands for 1,000 ohms, and placing the 7 after it indicates the position of the decimal point so 4k7 simply means 4.7 kilo-ohms. This format helps avoid confusion in printed codes where decimal points can be missed.

This resistor plays a big role in limiting how much current flows through a circuit. You often choose a 4k7 resistor when a balance between current control and minimal power loss is required. It’s often used in circuits to split voltage, steady weak signals, or stop too much current from reaching delicate parts. Because of its moderate resistance, It works well in both analog and digital circuits, whether you're testing a design or building the final version.

4.7k Resistor Color Bands

Figure 2. 4.7k Resistor Color Bands

Color	First Band	Second Band	Multiplier Band	Tolerance Band
Yellow	4	—	$10^0$	Gold
Violet	—	7	$10^1$	—
Red	—	—	$10^2$	—
Gold	—	—	$10^{-1}$	±5%

Chart 1. 4k7/4.7k Resistor Color Code

You often identify a 4.7k resistor visually by checking its four colored bands. These bands are typically yellow, violet, red, and gold, arranged from left to right. Recognizing this pattern is part of basic component sorting during circuit preparation and assembly.

The first band, yellow, corresponds to the number 4, which serves as the first digit in the resistor's base value.

The second band, violet, stands for 7, forming the second digit.

When placed together, these bands create the number 47, which is the starting point for calculating total resistance.

Next, the third band is red, and it shows the multiplier. This means you take the number 47 and multiply it by 100. That gives you 4,700 ohms, which is the same as 4.7k ohms. This resistor value is often used in analog filters, signal circuits, and voltage divider setups.

The fourth band is gold, and it shows the resistor’s tolerance. This tells you how much the actual resistance might be different from the number written. A gold band means the value can be 5% higher or lower than 4.7k ohms. So the real resistance could be anywhere between 4,465 ohms and 4,935 ohms, depending on how it was made or changes in temperature.

This color code method is a fast and reliable way to verify component values during hands-on tasks such as sorting, manual soldering, or fault diagnosis. It reduces the need for tools like multimeters when time or access is limited. The same system is used for other resistor values too, such as 1k or 10k ohms, with only the digit and multiplier bands changing.

4.7k Resistor Tolerance

Figure 3. 4.7kΩ (4700 ohms) ±5% tolerance

The tolerance of a resistor shows how much the real resistance can differ from the number written on it. For a 4.7k ohm resistor, this depends on how it was made and what type it is. Most of the time, these resistors come with 1%, 5%, or 10% tolerance.

A resistor with 1% tolerance typically measures between 4.653k ohms and 4.747k ohms, ensuring a very close match to the nominal value. In contrast, a 5% tolerance resistor can range from 4.465k ohms to 4.935k ohms. A 10% tolerance resistor allows even more variation, with actual resistance values falling between 4.23k ohms and 5.17k ohms.

You choose the appropriate tolerance based on the circuit’s precision requirements and budget constraints. Higher-accuracy resistors with tighter tolerances, like the 1% variant, usually come at a higher cost. For applications where a slight variance is acceptable, a 5% or 10% tolerance resistor may be more suitable.

4.7k Resistor Uses

Figure 4. 4.7k Resistor Uses in Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

Pull-Up and Pull-Down Resistors - In digital circuits, a 4.7k ohm resistor is often used to keep signals steady. If a microcontroller pin is not connected to anything, the signal can float and cause random or noisy behavior. By connecting a 4.7k resistor to ground (pull-down) or to the power supply (pull-up), the signal stays at a stable level. This helps the circuit work properly and prevents wrong signals.

Voltage Dividers - Voltage divider circuits are widely used to scale down voltage levels. A typical setup includes two resistors in series across a voltage source, with the output taken between them. Using a 4.7k resistor either as one of the two resistors or paired with another common value lets you generate custom voltage references. Its availability, stable tolerance, and moderate resistance make it a go-to choice in both analog and digital applications.

Analog Signal Conditioning - In analog circuits, signal levels often need adjustment before further processing. A 4.7k resistor can work with capacitors, op-amps, or other resistors to filter, bias, or scale the input signal. These setups are used in sensor interfaces, preamps, or any situation where raw signals take shaping before reaching analog-to-digital converters or amplifiers.

Current Limiting - To protect parts from too much current, a 4.7k resistor is often used to limit the flow. It’s usually placed in line with LEDs to stop them from getting too much power, or added to microcontroller inputs to protect against sudden voltage changes. The resistance is strong enough to slow down the current but still lets the signal pass, keeping things safe for sensitive parts.

Oscillator Circuits - In timing circuits or oscillators, the resistor value helps control how fast things happen. A 4.7k resistor is often used with a capacitor to set the timing in things like waveform makers, clocks, or tone generators. Because its value stays steady, it helps keep the frequency stable when used with parts like transistors or ICs.

4-Band 4.7k Resistor vs 5-Band 4.7k Resistor

Feature	4-Band 4.7k Resistor	5-Band 4.7k Resistor
Band Colors	Yellow, Violet, Red, Gold	Yellow, Violet, Black, Brown, (Tolerance Band)
Digit Bands	Yellow = 4, Violet = 7 → forms 47	Yellow = 4, Violet = 7, Black = 0 → forms 470
Multiplier Band	Red = ×100 → 4,700Ω	Brown = ×10 → 4,700Ω
Tolerance Band	Gold = ±5%	Often ±1% or lower
Best Use Cases	LED current limiting, pull-ups, basic analog filtering	Signal amplifiers, op-amp feedback, sensor circuits needing precision

Chart 2. Compares the 4-band and 5-band of 4.7k Ohm Resistor

When selecting a 4.7k ohm resistor, understanding the difference between the 4-band and 5-band versions helps determine which is better suited for your application. Both types provide the same nominal resistance, but they differ in how precisely that value is defined and controlled.

4-Band 4.7k Resistor

In a typical 4-band 4.7k resistor, the colored bands are yellow, violet, red, and gold. These bands are read from left to right.

• The first two bands yellow and violet represent the digits 4 and 7, giving the base number 47.

• The third band, red, acts as the multiplier. Multiplying 47 by 100 gives the final resistance value of 4,700 ohms.

• The fourth band, gold, specifies the tolerance, allowing up to ±5% variation from the labeled value.

This version is commonly used in general-purpose applications such as LED current limiting, pull-up resistors, or basic analog filtering where small resistance variations won’t affect circuit behavior completely.

5-Band 4.7k Resistor

The 5-band version is more accurate. It has one more number, which helps control the exact value better during production. The usual colors are yellow, violet, black, brown, and a last band that shows the tolerance.

• The first three bands yellow, violet, and black represent 4, 7, and 0, forming the number 470.

• The fourth band, brown, sets the multiplier. Multiplying 470 by 10 again gives 4,700 ohms.

The final band usually indicates a tighter tolerance, often ±1% or even lower.

This better accuracy makes 5-band resistors more useful for circuits that need precise control, like signal amplifiers, op-amp feedback loops, and sensor circuits. In these cases, even small changes in resistance can affect how well the circuit works.

Specifications of 4.7k Resistor

While all 4k7 resistors provide the same electrical resistance of 4.7 kilo-ohms, their physical form, material, and specifications vary widely. These differences directly impact how they’re installed, how much power they handle, and the tools required to work with them. Understanding these variations helps ensure the right resistor is chosen for each phase of development from prototyping to mass production.

Form Factor and Mounting Method

4k7 resistors are commonly available in two configurations: through-hole and surface-mount (SMD).

Through-hole resistors have long metal legs that go into holes on the PCB. They’re good for hand-soldering, testing, and repairs where parts might to be changed often. Their strong legs also help keep them in place if the board moves or shakes.

SMD resistors are small and flat, and they sit right on top of the PCB. They’re made for machines that place parts automatically and are used in modern, space-saving designs. Since they don’t take holes, they help make boards smaller and quicker to build.

Size and Ease of Handling

The larger size of through-hole resistors makes them easier to hold, align, and solder during manual assembly. This makes them especially useful in breadboarding, educational setups, or low-volume production, where rework and part replacement are common.

In contrast, SMD resistors come in smaller packages like 0603, 0805, or 1206. Their compact size allows more components to fit on the board but requires precision tools such as tweezers, stencils, and reflow ovens for correct placement. This makes them better suited to automated assembly lines and space-constrained designs like wearables or compact IoT modules.

Power Rating and Thermal Performance

The power rating defines how much heat a resistor can safely handle without failure.

Through-hole resistors often come in ratings such as 1/8W, 1/4W, 1/2W, and 1W. Higher-wattage versions are used in circuits with greater current or sustained voltage drops. You typically select these when dealing with visible heating or where airflow is limited.

SMD resistors also support a range of power levels, depending on package size. For example, a 0805 resistor may handle up to 1/8W, while a 2512 package can support 1W or more. Power selection in SMD design must be carefully matched to avoid hot spots, especially when components are tightly packed.

Tolerance and Accuracy

Tolerance defines how much the actual resistance may differ from its rated value. This is serious in circuits that depend on predictable voltage or current behavior.

Through-hole resistors display value and tolerance with color bands, typically in 5%, 1%, or 0.1% increments.

SMD resistors use numeric codes printed on the surface, providing similar tolerance options in a more compact form.

Resistors with lower tolerance (like 1% or 0.1%) are used in circuits that need high accuracy, such as voltage control, analog signals, or timing parts. Resistors with higher tolerance (like 5%) are fine for simple tasks like pull-up or pull-down resistors and basic filters.

Material Composition and Performance

The choice of resistor material affects its stability, noise performance, and overall reliability.

Through-hole resistors may be made from carbon film, metal film, or wire-wound construction. Metal film types are more accurate and stable, while wire-wound types handle higher power and operate with less thermal drift.

SMD resistors are made using thick film or thin film layers over a ceramic base. Thin film types are preferred in analog and RF applications due to their low noise and tighter precision.

Application Suitability and Workflow Considerations

Choosing between the two types depends on the nature of the work:

Use through-hole resistors for quick prototyping, educational setups, and builds that involve frequent modifications or where manual soldering is the standard process.

Use SMD resistors in final designs requiring compact layouts, automated assembly, and higher component density.

Selecting the Right Type for the Job

Resistor selection should match the demands of the design, taking into account:

• Board space constraints

• Power dissipation

• Tolerance requirements

• Assembly process (manual or automated)

Small-batch builds, through-hole components simplify handling and require no special tools. In high-volume or miniaturized designs, SMD resistors reduce board size and enable faster assembly.

When exact resistance matters especially in analog or sensor-based systems focus on tight tolerance and material type, regardless of packaging.

Conclusion

The 4.7k resistor is small but powerful. It keeps signals steady, limits current, and helps circuits run safely and smoothly. From reading color codes to choosing between through-hole and SMD types, knowing how this resistor works makes your projects easier and more reliable. Whether you’re just starting out or designing a full circuit board, the 4.7k resistor is a go-to choice for many electronic tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

1. Can I replace a 4.7k resistor with two resistors in series?

Yes. You can use two or more resistors in series if their total adds up to 4.7k ohms. For example, a 2.2k and a 2.5k resistor in series will give close to 4.7k.

2. Is 4.7k the same as 4700 ohms?

Yes. 4.7k means 4.7 kilo-ohms, and 1 kilo-ohm equals 1000 ohms. So 4.7k is exactly 4700 ohms.

3. What happens if I use a 4.7k resistor instead of 1k?

The circuit will get less current. A 4.7k resistor resists current more than a 1k resistor. This may cause the connected part (like an LED) to work dimmer or not at all, depending on the design.

4. Is a 4.7k resistor suitable for audio circuits?

Yes. 4.7k resistors are often used in audio signal paths for example, to bias op-amps or filter signals. They help shape or limit the signal without adding much noise.

5. What does k mean in 4k7?

The k stands for kilo, meaning 1000 ohms. The 7 after it shows the decimal place. So 4k7 = 4.7k ohms = 4700 ohms.

6. What if I install a 4.7k resistor backward?

Resistors are non-polarized. They work the same no matter which way they’re installed. So, it’s fine either way.

7. How do I tell if a 4.7k resistor is damaged?

Look for signs like burning, discoloration, cracks, or if the resistance measured with a multimeter is far from 4.7k ohms (even after accounting for tolerance).

8. Are all 4.7k resistors the same?

No. While the resistance value is the same, they can differ by size, power rating, tolerance, material (carbon, metal film), and package type (through-hole or SMD). Choose based on what your circuit requires.