You should start reading from the end that has the bands grouped closer together. The final band (usually Gold or Silver, representing tolerance) is typically separated from the other bands by a slightly wider gap.

A 4-band resistor uses 2 digits for the base value, 1 multiplier, and 1 tolerance band. A 5-band resistor uses 3 digits for the base value, allowing for more precise resistance values (often used in higher accuracy 1% or 2% tolerance components).

Historically, resistors were too small to reliably print numbers on, and the ink would often rub off or burn off during operation. Colored bands wrap entirely around the component, making them readable from any angle regardless of how they are soldered onto a board.

If a resistor has 6 bands, the first 5 follow the standard 5-band format (3 digits, 1 multiplier, 1 tolerance). The 6th band indicates the Temperature Coefficient, which tells you how much the resistance value will change as the component heats up (measured in ppm/°C).

If a resistor only has 3 bands (2 digits and a multiplier), it implies a standard default tolerance of ±20%. This was common in older electronics but is rarely seen in modern precision manufacturing.