Technical reference

Laser wavelength comparison

Every laser color family and common wavelength, compared side by side. The lineup table is built from our live catalog.

Current lineup by color

Bundles and add-ons are not counted. Output is listed as a plain number, as on each product page.

Wavelength range, output range, number of models, and starting price for each color family at Tinker Lasers.
Color Wavelength Output Models From
Violet & UV Lasers 395 to 425 nm 100 to 3,500 9 $74.99
Blue Lasers 450 to 465 nm 200 to 15,000 8 $54.99
Cyan Lasers 480 to 495 nm 75 to 250 10 $74.99
Green Lasers 505 to 532 nm 5 to 4,000 12 $49.99
Lime & Yellow-Green Lasers 545 to 567 nm 10 to 100 8 $74.99
Yellow & Orange Lasers 573 to 604 nm 5 to 50 14 $99.99
Red Lasers 638 to 660 nm 200 to 1,600 6 $63.99

Color families at a glance

How each Tinker Lasers color family looks and what people commonly choose it for.
Color familyHow it looksBrightness to the eyeCommonly chosen for
Violet and UVDeep purpleLowMaking fluorescent materials glow and charging glow-in-the-dark materials
BlueRoyal blue to sky blueLow in daylight, medium at nightA bold, saturated color
CyanIce blue to aquaHigh at nightStargazing and a distinctive color
GreenMint green to classic greenHighA first laser and pointing out stars
LimeVivid yellow-greenVery high in daylightStrong brightness without high output
Yellow and orangeTrue yellow, golden yellow, orangeHigh in daylight, low at nightThe color itself; these are rare wavelengths
RedOrange-red to deep redLowA classic red beam

Common wavelengths

Common visible laser wavelengths, their colors, and how they compare.
WavelengthColorNotes
405 nmVioletMakes fluorescent materials glow; usually a direct diode
450 nmRoyal blueUsually a direct diode
465 nmSky blueLighter blue than 450 nm
488 nmCyanClose to the peak of night vision
505 nmMint greenVery close to the peak of night vision, near 507 nm
520 nmGreenA deeper green; usually a direct diode
532 nmClassic greenThe green most people picture; made by frequency doubling 1064 nm light
561 nmLimeClose to the peak of daytime vision, near 555 nm
573 nmTrue yellowA rare wavelength
589 nmGolden yellowMatches the yellow of sodium street lamps
594 nmYellow-orangeA rare wavelength
638 nmOrange-redBrighter to the eye than 660 nm
660 nmDeep redLooks dimmer than 638 nm at the same output

These are general notes about each wavelength. Each product page lists that laser's own specs.

How to read a wavelength

A lower number means a shorter wavelength and a color closer to violet. A higher number means a longer wavelength and a color closer to red. Two lasers a few nm apart look similar; 520 nm and 532 nm are both green, but 520 nm is a deeper green and 532 nm leans slightly yellow.

Last updated 2026-11-01

Common questions

Which laser color looks brightest?

Green and lime look brightest to the eye. In daylight the eye is most sensitive near 555 nm, so 532 nm green and 561 nm lime look brightest at the same output.

Which wavelength is best for stargazing?

A wavelength near 505 nm with an output of 500 or less. It sits right at the peak of night vision and stays easy on dark-adapted eyes.

Is a 520 nm laser the same color as a 532 nm laser?

Both are green. A 520 nm laser is a deeper, richer green, and a 532 nm laser is the classic green that leans slightly yellow.

Which laser color makes things glow?

Violet and UV, such as 405 nm. Their higher-energy light makes fluorescent materials glow and charges glow-in-the-dark materials.

What color is a 589 nm laser?

Golden yellow. 589 nm matches the yellow light of sodium street lamps.