ANSI and IEC laser Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4

classification
Notes
Sub-class Class 1 Class 1M Class 2 Class 2M Class 3R Class 3B Class 4
U.S. FDA laser Class I No special FDA class Class II No special FDA class Class IIIa
Class IIIb Class IV Newer ANSI/IEC number classes are
classification (definition is different now preferred over older FDA
but results are similar) Roman numeral classes
Human-accessible For visible light, emits Emits visible beam of For visible light,
For visible light,
For visible light,
Non-visible lasers emitting infrared
laser power beam less than 0.39 less than 1 milliwatt.
emits beam between
emits beam between emits beam of 500 or ultraviolet are not included in this
(for visible light) milliwatts, or beam of 1 and 4.99 milliwatts. Class 3R limit (e.g. 5 milliwatts (1/2 Watt)
chart. Only visible lasers are
any power is inside milliwatts) and 499.9 or more discussed.
device and is not milliwatts
accessible during
operation.
Caution/warning No special caution/ No special caution/
indication warning indication warning indication CAUTION WARNING DANGER

Label descriptive DO NOT VIEW DO NOT STARE INTO DO NOT STARE INTO AVOID DIRECT EYE AVOID EXPOSURE AVOID EYE OR SKIN For visible-light lasers, the word
text DIRECTLY WITH BEAM BEAM OR EXPOSE EXPOSURE TO BEAM EXPOSURE TO “light” can be used instead of
OPTICAL USERS OF DIRECT OR “radiation”. The latter is more
INSTRUMENTS TELESCOPIC OPTICS SCATTERED accurate for lasers emitting infrared
RADIATION and ultraviolet radiation.
EYE AND SKIN
HAZARDS
Eye hazard for Safe, even for long- Safe for unaided eye Safe for unintentional Safe for unintentional Unintentional or Eye hazard;
Severe eye hazard;
intraocular exposure term intentional exposure. exposure less than (< 1/4 sec) unaided accidental exposure avoid exposure to avoid exposure to
(having a direct or viewing. For visible 1/4 second. Do not eye exposure. to direct or reflected direct or reflected direct or reflected
reflected beam enter light, usually applies stare into beam. beam has a low risk. beam. beam.
the eye) when the laser is Avoid intentional
May be hazardous if May be hazardous if
enclosed inside a exposure to direct or
viewed with optical viewed with optical
device (ex: CD or DVD reflected beam.
instruments such as instruments such as
player) with no human
binoculars or eye binoculars or eye
access to laser light.
loupe. loupe.

Maximum or typical Not an eye hazard -- Consult an LSO as NOHD of 0.99 mW Consult an LSO as NOHD of 4.99 mW NOHD of 499.9 mW NOHD of 1000 mW Avoid eye exposure to a direct or
Nominal Ocular does not apply described in the beam: described in the beam:
beam:
(1 Watt) beam: reflected laser beam, within the
Hazard Distance Technical Note below 23 ft (7 m) Technical Note below 52 ft (16 m) 520 ft (160 m) 733 ft (224 m).
NOHD. The closer you are to the
(for 1 milliradian beam, NOHD of 10 W laser, the greater the chance of
exposure time less beam: hazard and the more serious the
than 1/4 second) 2320 ft (710 m) injury potential.
Eye hazard for None Consult an LSO None Consult an LSO None Generally safe.
To avoid injury, do not
diffuse reflection Avoid staring at the stare at laser “dot” on
exposure laser “dot” on a a surface. The light is
(looking at the laser surface for many too bright if you see a
“dot” scattered off a seconds at close sustained afterimage,
surface) range. lasting more than
about 10 seconds.

Skin burn None Consult an LSO None Consult an LSO None Can heat skin if beam Can instantly burn
hazard is held long enough skin. Avoid direct
on skin at close range exposure to the
beam.
Materials burn None Consult an LSO None Consult an LSO None Can burn materials if Can instantly burn Dark materials which absorb heat,
hazard beam is held long materials. Avoid direct and lightweight materials such as
enough on substance exposure to the paper and fabric, are most easily
at close range beam, for materials burned by visible laser light.
susceptible to
burning.

VISUAL
INTERFERENCE
DISTANCES
Maximum or typical Not applicable; beam Consult an LSO For a Consult an LSO For a For a For a 1 Watt beam: Value given is for 555 nm, the green
flashblindness is usually contained 0.99 mW beam: 4.99 mW beam: 499 mW beam: 3,696 ft (0.7 mile)
wavelength that appears brightest to
distance inside a device such 117 ft
261 ft
2.614 ft (1/2 mile)
1,127 m (1.1 km)
the light-adapted human eye. This
(FAA 100 µW/cm2, for as a
36 m 80 m 797 m (0.8 km) For a 10 W beam: gives the longest hazard distance. To
1 milliradian beam, CD or DVD player 11,689 ft (2.2 miles)
approximate for red laser light,
555 nm green light) 3,563 m (3.5 km) divide the distance by about 5; for
blue, divide by 20.
Maximum or typical See above Consult an LSO 523 ft
Consult an LSO 1,169 ft
11,689 ft (2.2 miles)
For a 1 Watt beam: See above
glare distance 159 m 356 m 3,563 m (3.5 km) 16,531 ft (3.1 miles)

(FAA 5 µW/cm2, for

5,039 m (5 km)

1 milliradian beam, For a 10 W beam:

555 nm green light) 52,275 ft (9.9 miles)

15,933 m (16 km)

Maximum or typical See above Consult an LSO 5,227 ft (1 mile)

Consult an LSO 11,689 ft (2.2 miles)
116,890 ft (22 miles)
For a 1 Watt beam: See above
distraction distance 1,593 m (1.6 km) 3,563 m (3.5 km) 35,628 m (35.6 km) 165,307 ft (31 miles)

(FAA 0.05 µW/cm2 or 50,386 m (50 km)

50 nanowatts/cm2, for
For a 10 W beam:
1 milliradian beam, 522,746 ft (99 miles)

555 nm green light) 159,333 m (160 km)

Technical Notes For a 1/4 second We are unaware of Class 2 (and 2M) only We are unaware of Class 3R is either: (1)
exposure to any Class 1M laser applies to visible any Class 2M laser From 1 to 4.99 mW
accessible visible- devices intended for lasers. Infrared and
devices intended for into a 7mm aperture
light beams, Class 1 consumer use. If you ultraviolet lasers consumer use. If you (e.g., pupil of the eye)
limits are the same as do have such a laser, cannot be Class 2 (or do have such a laser, or (2) five times the
Class 2, and such consult a qualified 2M). consult a qualified Class 2 limit of 2.5
lasers are usually Laser Safety Officer Laser Safety Officer mW/cm2, which
labeled as Class 2. for more detailed for more detailed works out to be 12.5
analysis. analysis. mW/cm2. The second
method is used by
LaserSafetyFacts to
determine NOHD.

Class 1 Class 1M Class 2 Class 2M Class 3R Class 3B Class 4

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4