Thermocouple Colour Code Chart

Type	Temperature range °c (continuous)	Temperature range °c (short term)	Tolerance class 1 (°c)	Tolerance class 2 (°c)	IEC Colour code	BS Colour code	Notes
K	0 to +1100	-180 to +1300	-40 to +375 ± 1.5 °c, 375 to 1000 ± 0.004*[t]°c	-40 to +333 ± 2.5 °c, 333 to 1200 ± 0.0075*[t]°c			The most common sensor, wide range, good in oxidising atmosphere.
J	0 to +700	-180 to +800	-40 to +375 ± 1.5 °c, 375 to 750 ± 0.004*[t]°c	-40 to +333 ± 2.5 °c, 333 to 750 ± 0.0075*[t]°c			Good in dry & reducing atmospheres.
N	0 to +1100	-270 to +1300	-40 to +375 ± 1.5 °c, 375 to 1000 ± 0.004*[t]°c	-40 to +333 ± 2.5°c, 333 to 1200 ± 0.0075*[t]°c			Fairly new to market. High stability.
R	0 to +1600	-50 to +1700	0 to +1100 ± 1.0°c, 1100 to 1600 ± (1+0.003 (t-1100))*[t]°c	0 to +600 ± 1.5 °c, 600 to 1600 ± 0.0025*[t]°c			High temperatures. Used in UK. Usually in ceramic sheath.
S	0 to 1600	-50 to +1750	0 to +1100 ± 1.0 °c, 1100 to 1600 ± (1+0.003(t-1100))*[t]°c	0 to +600 ± 1.5°c, 600 to 1600 ± 0.0025*[t]°c			High temperatures. Usually in ceramic sheath.
B	+200 to +1700	0 to +1820	Not Available	600 to 1700 ± 0.0025*[t]°c	No standard use copper wire	No standard use copper wire	Very high temperatures. Always protected by high purity ceramic.
T	-185 to +300	-250 to +400	-40 to +125 ± 0.5°c, 125 to 350 ± 0.004*[t]°c	-40 to +133 ± 1.0°c,133 to 350 ± 0.0075*[t]°c			Cryogenic sensor. Copes with water present.
E	0 to +800	-40 to +900	-40 to + 375 ± 1.5°c, 375 to 800 ± 0.004*[t]°c	-40 to +333 ± 2.5°c, 333 to 900 ± 0.0075*[t]°c			High EMF output.