200 Ohm Resistor: Color Code & Circuit Applications Guide

200 ohm resistor guide: color code charts, SMD codes, LED current calculations, and practical applications. Essential reference for electronics projects.

The 200 ohm resistor occupies an interesting position in the standard resistor value series. While not as commonly reached for as the 220Ω sitting next to it in the parts drawer, this value proves itself invaluable for specific circuit calculations where the math demands it.

I find myself using a 200 ohm resistor particularly when driving multiple LEDs from 12V supplies or when I need precise current limiting that doesn’t quite fit the more common E12 values. It’s one of those resistors that earns its place through specific applications rather than general popularity.

What is a 200 Ohm Resistor?

A 200 ohm resistor provides exactly 200 ohms of electrical resistance. This value belongs to the E24 series of preferred resistor values, making it available from most suppliers though perhaps not as universally stocked as E12 series components like 220Ω.

The resistance falls into a useful mid-range that works well for LED current limiting from higher voltage supplies, voltage divider circuits, and current sensing applications. At 200 ohms, the component balances between limiting current effectively while not creating excessive voltage drops in many common configurations.

Key Specifications of 200 Ohm Resistors

Parameter	Typical Value	Notes
Resistance	200 Ω	E24 standard value
Common Tolerances	±5%, ±1%	Gold or Brown tolerance band
Power Ratings	1/8W, 1/4W, 1/2W, 1W, 2W	Varies by application
Temperature Coefficient	50-250 ppm/K	Depends on construction
Maximum Voltage	200-500V	Based on power rating
Operating Temperature	-55°C to +155°C	Standard range

200 Ohm Resistor Color Code

Identifying a 200 ohm resistor by its color bands follows the standard color code system. The Red-Black-Brown pattern is distinctive and relatively easy to spot.

4-Band 200 Ohm Resistor Color Code

The standard 4-band configuration you’ll find on most carbon film resistors:

Band Position	Color	Value	Meaning
1st Band	Red	2	First significant digit
2nd Band	Black	0	Second significant digit
3rd Band	Brown	×10	Multiplier
4th Band	Gold	±5%	Tolerance

Reading it: Red-Black-Brown-Gold gives you 20 × 10 = 200Ω with ±5% tolerance.

With a ±5% tolerance, your actual resistance falls between 190Ω and 210Ω. This tolerance range overlaps slightly with neighboring values, which matters less for LED circuits but becomes important in precision applications.

5-Band 200 Ohm Resistor Color Code

For precision metal film resistors with tighter tolerance:

Band Position	Color	Value	Meaning
1st Band	Red	2	First significant digit
2nd Band	Black	0	Second significant digit
3rd Band	Black	0	Third significant digit
4th Band	Black	×1	Multiplier
5th Band	Brown	±1%	Tolerance

The 5-band code Red-Black-Black-Black-Brown represents 200 × 1 = 200Ω with ±1% tolerance.

6-Band 200 Ohm Resistor Color Code

When temperature stability matters for your circuit:

Band Position	Color	Value	Meaning
1st Band	Red	2	First significant digit
2nd Band	Black	0	Second significant digit
3rd Band	Black	0	Third significant digit
4th Band	Black	×1	Multiplier
5th Band	Brown	±1%	Tolerance
6th Band	Brown	100 ppm/K	Temperature coefficient

Complete Color Code Reference Chart

Color	Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance
Black	0	×1	–
Brown	1	×10	±1%
Red	2	×100	±2%
Orange	3	×1,000	–
Yellow	4	×10,000	–
Green	5	×100,000	±0.5%
Blue	6	×1,000,000	±0.25%
Violet	7	–	±0.1%
Gray	8	–	±0.05%
White	9	–	–
Gold	–	×0.1	±5%
Silver	–	×0.01	±10%

SMD 200 Ohm Resistor Markings

Surface mount 200 ohm resistors use numerical marking systems. Understanding these codes prevents costly mistakes during board assembly or repair work.

3-Digit SMD Code

A 200 ohm resistor in 3-digit format is marked 201.

Breaking it down:

• First two digits (20) = significant figures
• Third digit (1) = number of zeros to add = one zero

Result: 20 + one zero = 200Ω

Critical Warning: The SMD code 200 does NOT mean 200 ohms. Code 200 represents 20Ω (20 with zero zeros). This confusion causes real problems on production lines.

4-Digit SMD Code

Precision SMD resistors use 2000 for 200 ohms:

• First three digits (200) = significant figures
• Fourth digit (0) = multiplier = ×1

Result: 200 × 1 = 200Ω

EIA-96 Code

For 1% tolerance SMDs, the EIA-96 system marks 200Ω as 01B:

• 01 = code for 100 in the lookup table
• B = multiplier of ×10…

Wait, that’s not quite right. Let me clarify: 200Ω in EIA-96 is actually 03B:

• 03 = code for 200 (since E96 includes 200 as a standard value)
• B = multiplier of 1

SMD Marking System	Code for 200Ω	Typical Tolerance
3-Digit	201	±5%
4-Digit	2000	±1%
EIA-96	03B	±1%

SMD Package Sizes and Power Ratings

Package	Dimensions (mm)	Typical Power Rating
0201	0.6 × 0.3	1/20W (0.05W)
0402	1.0 × 0.5	1/16W (0.063W)
0603	1.6 × 0.8	1/10W (0.1W)
0805	2.0 × 1.25	1/8W (0.125W)
1206	3.2 × 1.6	1/4W (0.25W)
2010	5.0 × 2.5	1/2W (0.5W)
2512	6.3 × 3.2	1W

Circuit Applications for 200 Ohm Resistors

The 200 ohm resistor finds practical use across various electronic circuits. Its specific value makes it ideal for certain calculations that don’t fit neatly into more common E12 values.

LED Current Limiting Applications

One of the most practical uses for a 200 ohm resistor is driving multiple red LEDs in parallel from a 12V supply.

The calculation: For 5 red LEDs in parallel at 10mA each from 12V:

• Total current needed: 50mA
• Voltage drop across resistor: 12V – 2V (LED) = 10V
• Resistance: 10V / 0.05A = 200Ω

This works out exactly to a 200 ohm resistor, making it perfect for automotive LED indicator clusters or 12V LED signage.

LED Current with 200 Ohm Resistor at Various Voltages

Supply Voltage	LED Type	Forward Voltage	Current	Notes
5V	Red	2.0V	15mA	Good brightness
5V	Green	2.2V	14mA	Solid illumination
5V	Blue	3.2V	9mA	Moderate
9V	Red	2.0V	35mA	Maximum rated
12V	Red	2.0V	50mA	Multiple LEDs in parallel
12V	White	3.2V	44mA	Overdrive single LED

Voltage Divider Circuits

A 200 ohm resistor pairs well with other standard values for precise voltage division:

R1	R2 (200Ω)	Vin	Vout	Ratio
100Ω	200Ω	5V	3.33V	0.667
200Ω	200Ω	5V	2.5V	0.5
300Ω	200Ω	5V	2.0V	0.4
800Ω	200Ω	5V	1.0V	0.2
1kΩ	200Ω	5V	0.83V	0.167

Common Circuit Applications

Application	Purpose	Configuration
LED current limiting	Control current to LEDs	Series with LED(s)
12V LED arrays	Drive multiple parallel LEDs	Single resistor, parallel LEDs
Voltage dividers	Create reference voltages	With other resistors
Audio circuits	Signal conditioning	In amplifier feedback
Motor speed sensing	Current measurement	Series with motor
Pull-up/pull-down	Set logic levels	To supply or ground
Transistor biasing	Set operating point	Base or collector circuit
Current sensing	Monitor current flow	Measure voltage drop

Power Dissipation Calculations

Proper power rating selection prevents resistor failure and potential circuit damage.

Power Dissipation in Various Scenarios

Scenario	Voltage Drop	Current	Power	Minimum Rating
5V LED circuit	3V	15mA	45mW	1/8W
9V LED circuit	7V	35mA	245mW	1/2W
12V 5-LED parallel	10V	50mA	500mW	1W
24V industrial	22V	110mA	2.42W	5W

Always select a resistor rated for at least twice the calculated power dissipation to ensure reliable long-term operation.

Power Rating Selection Guide

Calculated Power	Recommended Rating	Derating Factor
< 62mW	1/8W (125mW)	2×
63-125mW	1/4W (250mW)	2×
126-250mW	1/2W (500mW)	2×
251-500mW	1W	2×
501-1000mW	2W	2×

200 Ohm vs. Neighboring Resistor Values

Understanding when to use a 200 ohm resistor versus adjacent values helps optimize your designs.

Resistor Value	12V LED Current (2V Vf)	E-Series	Availability
180Ω	55.6mA	E24	Common
200Ω	50mA	E24	Common
220Ω	45.5mA	E12, E24	Very common
240Ω	41.7mA	E24	Common
270Ω	37mA	E12, E24	Very common

The 200 ohm resistor fits perfectly when calculations demand exactly 50mA from 12V with a 2V LED drop. Using 220Ω would reduce current to 45.5mA, which might affect brightness in critical applications.

Types of 200 Ohm Resistors

Different construction methods suit different applications:

Resistor Types Comparison

Type	Tolerance	Temp Coefficient	Best Applications
Carbon Film	±5%	±200-500 ppm/K	General purpose, prototyping
Metal Film	±1%, ±0.1%	±50-100 ppm/K	Precision circuits, audio
Thick Film SMD	±1-5%	±100-200 ppm/K	Production PCBs
Thin Film SMD	±0.1-1%	±25-50 ppm/K	High precision
Wirewound	±1-5%	±20-100 ppm/K	High power, precision
Metal Oxide	±5%	±300 ppm/K	High temperature

For most LED current limiting applications, a standard carbon film 200 ohm resistor works fine. Audio circuits and precision voltage references benefit from metal film construction.

How to Measure and Verify a 200 Ohm Resistor

Verification prevents circuit problems from incorrectly identified components.

Multimeter Measurement Steps

1. Set multimeter to resistance mode (Ω)
2. Select 200Ω or 2kΩ range
3. Zero the meter leads if possible
4. Touch probes to each resistor lead
5. Compare reading to expected value

A 200 ohm resistor with 5% tolerance should read between 190Ω and 210Ω. For 1% tolerance, expect 198Ω to 202Ω.

Troubleshooting Out-of-Range Readings

Reading	Possible Cause	Solution
0Ω	Short circuit or damaged meter	Check meter, verify component
Very low	Parallel component in circuit	Remove from circuit to measure
Very high	Open resistor (damaged)	Replace component
Slightly off	Normal tolerance variation	Acceptable if within spec
OL/Infinite	Open circuit or wrong range	Check connections, adjust range

Useful Resources and Tools

Online Calculators

• DigiKey Resistor Color Code Calculator – Decode color bands accurately
• DigiKey SMD Resistor Code Calculator – Convert SMD markings
• Calculator.net Resistor Calculator – Series/parallel calculations
• LED Calculator – Design LED arrays with correct resistors

Component Suppliers

• DigiKey – Extensive inventory with parametric search
• Mouser – Wide selection of precision resistors
• Newark – Industrial and hobbyist supply
• Arrow Electronics – Production quantities
• LCSC – Budget SMD components

Technical References

• Resistor Guide – Comprehensive resistor theory
• All About Circuits – Electronics education
• SparkFun Tutorials – Beginner-friendly guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the color code for a 200 ohm resistor?

The 4-band 200 ohm resistor color code is Red-Black-Brown-Gold. Red represents 2, Black represents 0, Brown is the ×10 multiplier, and Gold indicates ±5% tolerance. Calculate: 20 × 10 = 200 ohms. For 5-band precision resistors with ±1% tolerance, the code is Red-Black-Black-Black-Brown.

What is the SMD code for a 200 ohm resistor?

A 200 ohm resistor in SMD format uses the 3-digit code 201 (20 with one zero added). Don’t confuse this with code 200, which actually means 20 ohms. For 4-digit precision SMD resistors, look for 2000. The EIA-96 code used on some 1% resistors is 03B. Always verify with a multimeter when in doubt.

Can I use a 220 ohm resistor instead of 200 ohm?

In most applications, yes. A 220Ω resistor can substitute for a 200 ohm resistor with minor effects. The 10% higher resistance reduces current by about 9%. In LED circuits, this means slightly dimmer output but longer LED lifespan. For precision voltage dividers or calibration circuits, the difference matters more and substitution isn’t recommended.

What applications commonly use 200 ohm resistors?

A 200 ohm resistor is commonly used for driving multiple parallel LEDs from 12V supplies (calculating to exactly 50mA for 5 LEDs), voltage divider circuits requiring specific ratios, audio signal conditioning, transistor biasing networks, and current sensing applications. It’s particularly useful when E12 values like 180Ω or 220Ω don’t provide the exact current needed.

What power rating do I need for a 200 ohm resistor?

The required power rating depends on your circuit’s voltage and current. For typical 5V LED circuits with 15mA current, the power dissipation is about 45mW, so a 1/8W or 1/4W 200 ohm resistor suffices. For 12V circuits driving 50mA through multiple LEDs, power reaches 500mW, requiring a 1W resistor. Always choose a rating at least twice your calculated dissipation for reliability.

Summary

The 200 ohm resistor serves as a valuable component when circuit calculations demand its specific value. While the neighboring 220Ω might be more commonly stocked, the 200 ohm value proves essential for applications like driving exactly 50mA through parallel LED arrays from 12V supplies.

With its distinctive Red-Black-Brown-Gold color code for 4-band versions and SMD marking of 201, identifying this resistor becomes straightforward with practice. Remember the critical distinction: SMD code 200 means 20Ω, not 200Ω.

Keep a selection of 200 ohm resistors in various power ratings for projects where precision current control matters. Whether you’re designing automotive LED indicators, building voltage dividers, or setting up audio signal paths, this E24 series value earns its place in your component collection.