How to Choose a Laser Wavelength (nm)

Wavelength determines the beam color, how bright it looks to the eye, and what it’s best at. Use this guide to pick the right nm for your goal.

Most Visible to the Human Eye

• 520 nm (green): Peak eye sensitivity. Brightest-looking beams for a given power. Top choice for pointing, long visible beams, and outdoor visibility.
• 561 nm (yellow‑green): Vivid premium look. Slightly less bright than 520 nm at the same mW, but extremely eye‑catching for demos and signage.

Core Visible Colors for Everyday Use

• 638 nm / 650 nm (red): Classic presentation color. 638 nm appears a bit brighter and slightly more orange‑red than 650 nm. Comfortable indoors and budget‑friendly.
• 488 nm / 485 nm (cyan‑blue): Clean “lab” look. More legible than deep blue, highly photogenic for displays and product shots.
• 450 nm (royal blue): Popular high‑power choice with strong beam presence at higher outputs. Great for power and burning demos.
• 405 nm (violet): Near‑UV look that excites fluorescence in many inks and materials--ideal for special effects and close‑up experiments.

Special and Rare Colors

• 593 nm (amber): Warm amber “sodium” tone--uncommon and premium. Stands out for collectors and showpieces.
• 561 nm (yellow‑green): Listed above, but also a great “wow” color for premium builds.

Infrared / Near‑Infrared (dim or invisible to the eye)

• 808 nm (near‑IR): Barely visible deep‑red glow. Used for pumping, material work, and camera‑assisted alignment. Always wear IR‑rated goggles.
• 980 nm (near‑IR): Typically invisible to the eye but bright to many cameras. Common for sensors and IR illumination. Strict eye protection required.

Quick Picks by Goal

• Brightest visible beam for pointing: 520 nm. Consider 561 nm for a premium look.
• Beam presence + burning demos: 450 nm; go higher wattage for faster ignition.
• Unique visuals and fluorescence: 405 nm or 488/485 nm.
• Warm standout color: 593 nm (amber) or 561 nm (yellow‑green).
• Technical/IR use (not for visible pointing): 808 nm or 980 nm.

Why nm Affects Brightness

The human eye is most sensitive around 520--561 nm, so the same power looks brighter in green/yellow‑green. Reds (638/650 nm) and violets (405 nm) appear dimmer at the same mW even though the output power is real. For “wow” beams, pick wavelengths the eye sees well or increase power for dimmer colors.