Index of Refraction Calculator

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Calculates the index of refraction, which is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium.

How To Use

How to use this calculator

Start with your values, or try a preset.

Step 1

Enter Speed of Light in Vacuum (m/s) and Speed of Light in Medium (m/s) in the units shown.

Step 2

Read Index of Refraction in the results panel. Results update as you change the inputs.

Step 3

Choose a preset to load an example, then adjust the values for your situation.

Worked Examples

See the inputs and their calculated results.

Speed of Light in Vacuum (m/s): 299,792,458 m/s; Speed of Light in Medium (m/s): 299,792,458 m/s

Index of Refraction: 1

Speed of Light in Vacuum (m/s): 299,792,458 m/s; Speed of Light in Medium (m/s): 225,000,000 m/s

Index of Refraction: 1.332410924

Speed of Light in Vacuum (m/s): 299,792,458 m/s; Speed of Light in Medium (m/s): 197,236,278 m/s

Index of Refraction: 1.519966109

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