Metal Film Resistors, Precision Values & Assortment Kits

Metal film resistors for precision through-hole circuits and bench stock

This collection focuses on fixed metal film resistors supplied as individual-value axial packs, bulk quantities and multi-value assortment kits. Most listings state 1% tolerance, while selected products specify tighter tolerance or a particular temperature coefficient. Available listing labels span 1/8W, 1/6W, 1/4W, 1/2W, 1W, 2W and other product-specific ratings.

What is a metal film resistor?

A metal film resistor uses a thin metallic resistive layer, commonly formed on an insulating cylindrical core and trimmed to value. It is often selected for tighter tolerance, lower noise and better temperature stability than a general carbon film part. These are technology-level tendencies, not universal guarantees: the exact tolerance, TCR, voltage, noise, stability and overload performance must come from the selected product specification.

Products represented

Axial fixed resistors: color-band through-hole products covering single resistance values from low-ohm options into the megohm range, depending on the listing.
Precision selections: many 1% products, plus a limited number of listings that state 0.1% or 25ppm performance.
Assortment kits: value books, boxed sets and loose packs with different ranges, quantities and stated power classes.
Bulk packs: large single-value quantities for production, repair inventory and repeated builds.
MELF option: a cylindrical surface-mount listing marked 0207 MELF, which is not an axial through-hole footprint.

How to select

Choose resistance: confirm both value and notation. 4R7 means 4.7Ω, 2K2 means 2.2kΩ and 1M means 1MΩ.
Set the tolerance: calculate the permitted resistance error instead of assuming every blue-bodied resistor is 1%.
Check TCR: tolerance defines initial value error; temperature coefficient defines how value changes with temperature. They are separate specifications.
Calculate power: use P = I²R or P = V²/R, then apply margin and the product's thermal derating curve.
Check voltage: maximum working voltage may limit a high-value resistor before its nominal wattage is reached.
Review pulse and overload needs: continuous power does not establish surge or repetitive-pulse capability.
Confirm construction and mounting: distinguish axial through-hole, MELF surface-mount, metal oxide and carbon film products.
For kits: verify the actual value list, quantity per value, tolerance and power class.

Tolerance versus temperature coefficient

A 1% resistor can still drift significantly with temperature if its TCR is not suitable, while a low-TCR resistor may still have a wider initial tolerance. Only the specific listings that state 0.1% or 25ppm should be treated that way. Do not extend those claims to every metal film product in this collection.

Metal film versus carbon film and metal oxide

Metal film products are commonly used for measurement paths, feedback networks, filters, bias circuits and other applications that benefit from controlled value accuracy. Carbon film can be appropriate for general-purpose circuits, while metal oxide products may target different heat or surge behavior. Similar body shape and color bands do not make these technologies electrically equivalent. Several shared listings contain carbon film or metal oxide wording; select according to the exact variant and documented construction.

Power and low-resistance boundaries

Power labels such as 1/8W, 1/6W, 1/4W, 1/2W, 1W or 2W apply only to the named product or variant. Body size, working voltage and derating can differ even when the wattage text looks similar. For low-ohm values, lead, contact, solder and PCB resistance may dominate the error. Use Kelvin connections or four-wire measurement when the required accuracy justifies it. Low resistance alone does not prove current-sense suitability.

Mixed-listing boundaries

This collection includes some carbon film, metal oxide and mixed-technology listings, plus a cylindrical MELF surface-mount product. It also includes kits whose titles combine several wattages. These products remain in the collection, but their construction, mounting method and ratings must not be generalized as metal film specifications. Verify the exact selected option before ordering.