Common resistor values for LEDs

When in doubt, use a 220ohm resistor

If you are messing around with LED’s and development boards, like the Raspberry Pi or NodeMCU, then a good rule of thumb is to use a 220 ohm resistor. The 220 ohm resistory will work with a 3.3v or 5v feed and cover any color in the bag of LEDs.

Chart of LED colors, power levels, and resistors to use.

LED color 3.3V 3.7V 5V 6V 9V 12V
AMBER
2.1V, 20mA
68 Ohm
1/8 W
82 Ohm
1/8 W
150 Ohm
1/8 W
220 Ohm
1/8 W
390 Ohm
1/4 W
560 Ohm
1/4 W
BLUE
3.2V, 20mA
5.6 Ohm
1/8 W
27 Ohm
1/8 W
100 Ohm
1/8 W
150 Ohm
1/8 W
330 Ohm
1/8 W
470 Ohm
1/4 W
GREEN
2.1V, 20mA
68 Ohm
1/8 W
82 Ohm
1/8 W
150 Ohm
1/8 W
220 Ohm
1/8 W
390 Ohm
1/4 W
560 Ohm
1/4 W
ORANGE
2V, 20mA
68 Ohm
1/8 W
100 Ohm
1/8 W
180 Ohm
1/8 W
220 Ohm
1/8 W
390 Ohm
1/4 W
560 Ohm
1/4 W
PINK
3.2V, 20mA
5.6 Ohm
1/8 W
27 Ohm
1/8 W
100 Ohm
1/8 W
150 Ohm
1/8 W
330 Ohm
1/8 W
470 Ohm
1/4 W
PURPLE
3.2V, 20mA
5.6 Ohm
1/8 W
27 Ohm
1/8 W
100 Ohm
1/8 W
150 Ohm
1/8 W
330 Ohm
1/8 W
470 Ohm
1/4 W
RED
1.8V, 20mA
82 Ohm
1/8 W
100 Ohm
1/8 W
180 Ohm
1/8 W
220 Ohm
1/8 W
390 Ohm
1/4 W
560 Ohm
1/4 W
WHITE
3.2V, 20mA
5.6 Ohm
1/8 W
27 Ohm
1/8 W
100 Ohm
1/8 W
150 Ohm
1/8 W
330 Ohm
1/8 W
470 Ohm
1/4 W
YELLOW
2V, 20mA
68 Ohm
1/8 W
100 Ohm
1/8 W
180 Ohm
1/8 W
220 Ohm
1/8 W
390 Ohm
1/4 W
560 Ohm
1/4 W
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