Zero-ohm resistor (one black band)
A resistor marked with one black band and nothing else is a zero-ohm resistor: a link in the shape of a resistor, with a resistance close to zero. Black is 0 in the color code.
Easily confused with
How to read it
Token Electronics describes zero-ohm resistors and jumper wires as a link to connect traces on a printed circuit board, packaged in the same format as a resistor, and says axial through-hole zero-ohm resistors are generally marked with a single black band. Yageo’s data sheet for its ZOR series gives the marking as “single color code: black”. The resistance is only approximately zero: Token specifies a maximum of 0.05 Ω, and Yageo 10 mΩ or less. Because the nominal value is zero, Token says a tolerance as a percentage of it would be infinite, and none is specified, so there is no tolerance band.
Also searched as: 0 ohm resistor, jumper resistor, resistor with one black band, single black band resistor, zero ohm link, zero ohm resistor.
This explains what a resistor’s markings mean. Marking schemes vary between makers and series, and the part’s own datasheet takes precedence. It is not a guide to building or repairing electronics.
On a chip resistor
The surface mount kind is printed with a single 0. Yageo’s marking specification lists its chip jumpers as 0 Ω, marked 0; see SMD resistor codes for the other chip markings.
Look-alikes
A black band among other bands is the digit 0 or the multiplier ×1. Only a black band on its own marks a zero-ohm resistor.
Read next
- Next in Resistor color codes10k ohm resistor color codeBrown, black, orange: 1, 0 and three zeros, 10,000 ohms (10 kΩ). On a four-band resistor the fourth band, set apart, is the tolerance: gold for ±5%.
- The same shape in Hand gesturesSign of the horns 🤘The index and little fingers raised, the middle two held down by the thumb. At rock and metal concerts it is a salute; at the University of Texas it is “Hook ’em Horns”; in Italy it is an old charm against the evil eye and, made at a man, an insult saying his wife is unfaithful.
More resistor color codes
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with lines.
Sources
- Zero Ohm Resistors and Jumper Wire (ZO, JW), ZO and JW series product page, Token Electronics, Product description
- Zero ohm resistors, ZOR series, Through-hole resistors data sheet, Yageo, Introduction; specifications
- Chip Resistor Surface Mount: Marking, Product specification (2 April 2008, V.1), Yageo, General principles of marking codes; Figs. 6 and 7
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 9, 2026. How we research
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