560 Ohm Resistor: Complete Guide to Color Code & Specifications

Six months ago, I was troubleshooting an Arduino starter kit where students kept burning out LEDs. The instructions clearly showed a 560 ohm resistor in the schematic, but someone had packaged 56Ω resistors instead—an easy mistake given the similar color codes. That 10× resistance difference meant 10× more current flowing through those poor LEDs. After replacing a dozen fried components, I now triple-check every resistor value before it goes into a kit or prototype. The 560 ohm resistor isn’t glamorous, but get it wrong and you’ll know immediately.

Understanding the 560 Ohm Resistor

A 560 ohm resistor provides exactly 560Ω of resistance, sitting comfortably in the E12 and E24 standard value series between 470Ω and 680Ω. This mid-range value has become a staple in electronics, particularly for LED current limiting in hobbyist and educational applications. It’s that Goldilocks resistance—not too high, not too low—that makes it perfect for common 5V microcontroller and Arduino projects.

The 560Ω value isn’t arbitrary. It’s positioned strategically in the logarithmic E-series progression to provide approximately 10-12% spacing between adjacent values. This ensures designers have appropriate choices across every resistance decade without requiring infinite inventory or custom values.

Where 560 Ohms Makes Sense

At 560Ω resistance, you’re in the range that:

• Limits current to safe LED levels from 5V supplies
• Provides moderate voltage drops without excessive power dissipation
• Works well in voltage divider networks without excessive loading
• Offers reasonable impedance for signal conditioning applications

Quick calculation: Apply 5V across a 560 ohm resistor and you get I = V/R = 5V / 560Ω = 8.9mA. That’s perfect for driving standard indicator LEDs at reduced brightness for extended lifespan, or for microcontroller GPIO pins that have limited current capability.

Decoding 560 Ohm Resistor Color Codes

Mastering resistor color codes is a rite of passage for electronics work. The 560 ohm resistor has a distinctive green-blue combination that becomes instantly recognizable with experience.

4-Band 560 Ohm Color Code

Band Position	Color	Meaning	Value
1st Band	Green	First Digit	5
2nd Band	Blue	Second Digit	6
3rd Band	Brown	Multiplier	×10
4th Band	Gold	Tolerance	±5%

The standard sequence is Green-Blue-Brown-Gold. Read left to right: Green (5) and Blue (6) give you “56”, multiply by Brown (10) to get 560Ω, and Gold indicates ±5% tolerance (532Ω to 588Ω range).

Pro tip from years of bench work: The blue band can appear anything from sky blue to dark navy depending on manufacturer, age, and lighting. I’ve seen techs confuse blue (6) with violet (7) and think they had a 570Ω resistor. In critical circuits, always verify with a multimeter—those two seconds save hours of debugging.

5-Band Precision 560 Ohm Code

Band Position	Color	Meaning	Value
1st Band	Green	First Digit	5
2nd Band	Blue	Second Digit	6
3rd Band	Black	Third Digit	0
4th Band	Black	Multiplier	×1
5th Band	Brown	Tolerance	±1%

For precision work, the 5-band version (Green-Blue-Black-Black-Brown) provides ±1% tolerance: 554.4Ω to 565.6Ω. This tighter specification matters in matched circuits, precision voltage references, and high-quality audio applications where component tolerance affects overall performance.

I keep both tolerances in stock. The ±5% parts are fine for 95% of applications—LED limiting, pull-ups, general purpose signal conditioning. Save the expensive ±1% resistors for circuits where tolerance genuinely impacts functionality, like precision current sources, instrumentation amplifiers, or crossover networks.

6-Band High-Reliability Code

Band Position	Color	Meaning	Value
1st Band	Green	First Digit	5
2nd Band	Blue	Second Digit	6
3rd Band	Black	Third Digit	0
4th Band	Black	Multiplier	×1
5th Band	Brown	Tolerance	±1%
6th Band	Red	Temp Coefficient	50 ppm/°C

Six-band resistors add temperature coefficient data—the red band indicates 50 ppm/°C. Over a 100°C temperature range, your 560Ω resistor might drift by approximately ±2.8Ω. For automotive applications operating from -40°C to +125°C (a 165°C range!), this adds up to potentially ±9.2Ω drift, which could matter in precision circuits.

Technical Specifications and Power Ratings

Power Rating Selection Guide

Understanding power dissipation is critical to resistor selection and circuit reliability.

Power Rating	Maximum Current	Voltage at Max Power	Common Use Case
1/8W (0.125W)	15mA	8.4V	Ultra-low power indicators
1/4W (0.25W)	21mA	11.8V	Standard LED/Arduino circuits
1/2W (0.5W)	30mA	16.7V	Higher brightness LEDs
1W	42mA	23.6V	Power indicators, high current
2W	60mA	33.5V	Industrial/automotive applications

The critical formula: Power = I² × R. Running 15mA through a 560 ohm resistor dissipates P = (0.015)² × 560 = 0.126W. You’d think a 1/8W resistor works, but here’s the catch—it’s running at 100% of rating. That’s a recipe for premature failure.

Real-world engineering practice: Always oversize power ratings by at least 50-100%. For 0.126W calculated dissipation, use a 1/4W resistor minimum, preferably 1/2W if space allows. Resistors running cool last longer, maintain stable values, and provide margin for unexpected conditions.

Tolerance and Precision

Tolerance	Resistance Range	Typical Applications
±10% (Silver)	504Ω – 616Ω	Obsolete, general purpose
±5% (Gold)	532Ω – 588Ω	LED limiting, pull-ups, general
±2% (Red)	548.8Ω – 571.2Ω	Better precision circuits
±1% (Brown)	554.4Ω – 565.6Ω	Audio, instrumentation
±0.5%	557.2Ω – 562.8Ω	Precision measurement

For Arduino LED circuits and general hobbyist work, ±5% tolerance is perfectly adequate. The LED’s own manufacturing tolerance exceeds this, so using ±1% resistors gains nothing. Reserve precision parts for applications where they matter—like differential amplifier input stages, precision attenuators, or measurement equipment.

Primary Applications in Electronics

LED Current Limiting: The Bread and Butter Application

This is where 560 ohm resistors truly shine in the maker community and education sector.

Standard Red LED with 5V Arduino:

• LED forward voltage: 2.0V
• Voltage across resistor: 5V – 2V = 3V
• Current through LED: I = 3V / 560Ω = 5.4mA
• Power dissipation: P = 3V × 0.0054A = 16.2mW

Perfect for indicator LEDs where you want low brightness and maximum lifespan. A 1/4W resistor handles this easily with 85% thermal margin. The LED runs well below its 20mA maximum rating, often extending life from 50,000 hours to potentially 100,000+ hours.

Arduino Beginner LED Tutorial: The ARDX starter kit and countless Arduino tutorials specify 560Ω for the basic blink LED circuit. Why? Because it’s safe. New makers might accidentally short outputs or make wiring mistakes. At 5.4mA, even direct connection won’t damage the Arduino GPIO pin (typically rated for 20-40mA). It’s an insurance policy for beginners.

Green LED with 5V Supply:

• LED forward voltage: 2.2V
• Voltage across resistor: 5V – 2.2V = 2.8V
• Current: I = 2.8V / 560Ω = 5mA
• Power: P = 14mW

Similar safe operation. The slightly higher Vf of green LEDs reduces current slightly, but brightness remains adequate for indicators.

Blue/White LED with 5V:

• LED forward voltage: 3.2V (blue/white LEDs need more voltage)
• Voltage across resistor: 5V – 3.2V = 1.8V
• Current: I = 1.8V / 560Ω = 3.2mA
• Power: P = 5.8mW

Blue and white LEDs get dimmer with 560Ω because their higher forward voltage leaves less voltage across the resistor. If you need more brightness, switch to 470Ω or 330Ω. For ultra-low-power battery applications, 560Ω or even 1kΩ works great.

Voltage Divider Applications

The 560 ohm resistor works in low-to-medium impedance divider networks where you need reasonable voltage accuracy without excessive power drain.

Scaling 12V to 5V (rough approximation):

• R1 (top) = 560Ω
• R2 (bottom) = 390Ω
• Vout = 12V × (390 / (560 + 390)) = 12V × 0.411 = 4.93V

Close to 5V, useful for quick reference voltage generation. The divider draws I = 12V / 950Ω = 12.6mA, dissipating 151mW total. Use 1/4W resistors minimum, preferably 1/2W for thermal margin.

For battery-powered designs, this wastes too much current. I’d use higher values (like 56kΩ and 39kΩ) to reduce quiescent drain to 0.126mA while maintaining the same ratio.

Audio and Signal Conditioning

In audio and low-frequency analog circuits, 560 ohm resistors serve multiple purposes:

Amplifier gain setting: Combined with other resistors in feedback networks, 560Ω helps establish precise gain ratios in operational amplifier circuits.

Impedance matching and isolation: In audio interfaces, 560Ω resistors provide impedance matching between stages or isolation to prevent loading effects.

Sensor interfacing: When reading analog sensors with voltage outputs, 560Ω resistors help condition signals to appropriate levels for ADC inputs.

Pull-up and Pull-down Applications

While 10kΩ is more common for digital logic, 560Ω finds niche uses:

Strong pull-ups for LED indication: When you want a pull-up resistor that also drives an LED indicator showing logic state, 560Ω works well. It’s low enough to light an LED but high enough to not excessively load the driving circuit.

Fast-switching applications: Lower resistance means faster charging/discharging of parasitic capacitance. In high-speed digital interfaces or long cable runs, 560Ω pull-ups provide faster edge rates than higher values.

Trade-off warning: A 560Ω pull-up to 5V continuously draws 8.9mA—that’s 45mW wasted power. Only use where speed or drive requirements justify the consumption.

Material Types and Package Options

Carbon Film vs Metal Film

Property	Carbon Film 560Ω	Metal Film 560Ω
Tolerance	±5% typical	±1% typical
Tempco	±350 ppm/°C	±50-100 ppm/°C
Noise	Moderate	Low
Cost	$	$$
Applications	General purpose, education	Precision, audio

For breadboarding, student kits, and general LED circuits, carbon film is cost-effective and works fine. For audio, instrumentation, or circuits sensitive to noise and drift, spend the extra cents on metal film.

SMD Package Sizes

Package	Dimensions	Power Rating	Best For
0402	1.0mm × 0.5mm	1/16W	Ultra-compact, production only
0603	1.6mm × 0.8mm	1/10W	General SMD production
0805	2.0mm × 1.25mm	1/8W	Hand-solderable sweet spot
1206	3.2mm × 1.6mm	1/4W	Easy rework, moderate power

For prototyping and small production runs, I default to 0805—small enough for good density, large enough to hand-solder reliably without magnification. The 1206 size provides better power handling and survives multiple rework cycles.

Through-Hole Specifications

Through-hole 560Ω resistors typically come in:

• 1/4W: 6mm length, 2.5mm diameter—the hobbyist standard
• 1/2W: 9mm length, 3.5mm diameter—better thermal performance
• 1W: 11mm length, 4.5mm diameter—for higher current applications

Through-hole remains king for prototyping, breadboarding, and educational applications. Students find them easier to handle, and you can swap values quickly during development.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Misreading Color Codes

Problem: Confusing 560Ω (Green-Blue-Brown) with 56Ω (Green-Blue-Black) or 5.6kΩ (Green-Blue-Red).

Solution: Always check the multiplier band carefully. Brown = ×10, Black = ×1, Red = ×100. That third band makes a 100× difference! When in doubt, measure with a multimeter.

Insufficient Power Rating

Problem: Using 1/8W resistors for circuits requiring 1/4W or more.

Solution: Calculate actual dissipation using P = I²R. Add 50-100% safety margin. Look for physical signs of thermal stress: darkening, burning smell, cracking, or value drift.

Wrong Tolerance for Application

Problem: Using ±5% resistors in precision circuits, or wasting money on ±1% for LED limiting.

Solution: Match tolerance to application needs. LED circuits: ±5% fine. Precision voltage references: ±1% or better. When in doubt, ±5% handles most general purpose work.

Substitution Without Calculation

Problem: Substituting 470Ω or 680Ω because “it’s close.”

Solution: Calculate the impact. A 470Ω substitution increases current by 19%. A 680Ω substitution decreases current by 18%. Determine if your circuit tolerates this change before proceeding.

Essential Resources and Tools

Online Calculators:

• DigiKey LED Resistor Calculator – LED current limiting calculations
• All About Circuits Resistor Calculator – Color code to value conversion
• Ohm’s Law Calculator – Voltage, current, resistance, power

Component Databases:

• Octopart – Cross-supplier price comparison
• DigiKey Parametric Search – Comprehensive component filtering
• Mouser Electronics – Alternative sourcing with excellent stock

Manufacturer Resources:

• Yageo General Purpose Resistors – Industry standard components
• Vishay Resistor Catalog – Technical specifications
• KOA Speer – Reliable components

Design Software:

• LTSpice – Free circuit simulation
• KiCad – Open-source PCB design with footprint libraries
• Fritzing – Visual circuit design for beginners

Educational Content:

• SparkFun Resistor Tutorial – Excellent beginner guide
• All About Circuits – Comprehensive electronics textbook
• Electronics Tutorials – In-depth technical coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the color code for a 560 ohm resistor?

The standard 4-band 560 ohm resistor color code is Green-Blue-Brown-Gold. Green (5), Blue (6), Brown (×10), Gold (±5%). This gives 56 × 10 = 560Ω with ±5% tolerance (532Ω to 588Ω actual range). For precision ±1% resistors, the 5-band code is Green-Blue-Black-Black-Brown, where the additional black provides a third digit and brown indicates ±1% tolerance (554.4Ω to 565.6Ω range).

Why do Arduino starter kits use 560 ohm resistors for LEDs?

The 560Ω value provides safety margin for beginners. At 5V, it limits LED current to ~5-9mA depending on LED color, well below the Arduino GPIO maximum of 20-40mA and the LED’s 20mA rating. Even if students make wiring mistakes or short connections, the low current prevents component damage. It’s conservative by design—LEDs will be dimmer but last longer, and mistakes won’t smoke components. As you gain experience, you can use lower values (270Ω to 470Ω) for brighter LEDs.

Can I substitute 470Ω or 680Ω for 560Ω in LED circuits?

Yes, but understand the consequences. Using 470Ω increases current by approximately 19% (from ~9mA to ~11mA with red LED at 5V), making the LED brighter but running it harder. Using 680Ω decreases current by about 18% (to ~7.4mA), making the LED dimmer. For most indicator applications, either substitution works fine. For critical brightness requirements or circuits designed around specific current levels, stick with the specified value or recalculate for the substitution.

How do I calculate power dissipation for a 560 ohm resistor?

Use P = I²R or P = V²/R. Example: If 12mA flows through the resistor, P = (0.012A)² × 560Ω = 0.081W. Select a resistor rated at least 2× this value: minimum 1/4W (0.25W), preferably 1/2W for thermal margin. Alternatively, if you know voltage across the resistor (say 6V): P = (6V)² / 560Ω = 0.064W. Again, use 1/4W minimum. Never run resistors continuously above 50-70% of their power rating in enclosed designs or high-temperature environments.

Why does my 560 ohm resistor measure different than expected?

Resistors have tolerance ratings that define acceptable deviation. A ±5% tolerance 560Ω resistor can legally measure anywhere from 532Ω to 588Ω. If your reading falls within this range, the resistor is within specification. Readings outside tolerance indicate the resistor is damaged, was mislabeled, or you have the wrong value. Common causes of out-of-spec readings: thermal damage from overcurrent, physical stress, aging, or moisture damage. Always verify resistors with a multimeter before installation in critical circuits.

Conclusion

The 560 ohm resistor may lack the glamour of exotic semiconductors or high-speed ICs, but it’s a fundamental workhorse in practical electronics. From protecting LEDs in Arduino projects to conditioning signals in audio circuits, from voltage division to current limiting, this mid-range resistance value proves its worth daily in workshops and production lines worldwide.

After twenty years of PCB design, prototyping, and production troubleshooting, I’ve learned that the “simple” components deserve as much attention as complex ones. A misplaced decimal point in resistor selection causes just as much grief as a reversed transistor or mis-wired connector—actually more, because resistor problems can be subtle and intermittent rather than immediate and obvious.

Keep good stock of 560Ω resistors in standard packages: 1/4W and 1/2W through-hole for prototyping, 0805 SMD for production. Both ±5% and ±1% tolerances if your designs vary. With these basics covered, you’re ready for most design challenges.

And please—verify every resistor value with a multimeter before soldering, especially in educational or kit applications. Those two seconds of verification prevent hours of frustration debugging why LEDs burn out, circuits misbehave, or mysterious problems appear. Because in electronics, there are no small details—only details you haven’t paid attention to yet.