Materials - Light Reflecting Factors

A comprehensive reference tool for light reflecting factors (albedo) of various materials. Use this to look up the reflection factor percentage for different materials ranging from black bodies (0%) to highly reflective surfaces (100%).

Material	Reflection Factor (%)
Aluminum coatings, matte	55 - 56
Aluminum, anodized, matte	80 - 85
Aluminum, matte	55 - 75
Aluminum, polished	65 - 75
Aluminum, pure, highly polished	80 - 87
Body where no light is reflected (Black body)	0
Body where all light is reflected	100
Brick, red	10 - 15
Chrome, polished	60 - 70
Concrete, rough	20 - 30
Copper, highly polished	70 - 75
Crops	15 - 24
Forrest	7 - 14
Granite	20 - 25
Ice	32 - 38
Lacquer, pure white	80 - 85
Limestone	35 - 55
Marble, polished	30 - 70
Nickel, highly polished	50 - 60
Oak, light polished	25 - 35
Paint, brown	20 - 30
Paint, dark blue	15 - 20
Paint, dark green	15 - 20
Paint, dark red	15 - 20
Paint, light green	45 - 55
Paint, light yellow	60 - 70
Paint, medium grey	25 - 35
Paint, white	75 - 85
Paper, white	70 - 80
Plaster, dark	15 - 25
Plaster, light	40 - 45
Plywood, rough	25 - 40
Sand - dry	38 - 42
Sand - wet	22 - 28
Sandstone	20 - 40
Snow - fresh	85
Snow - old	45
Silver, highly polished	90 - 92
Silvered mirror, behind glass	80 - 88
Soil - dry	22 - 34
Soil - dark wet	7 - 14
Stainless steel	50
Vitreous Enamel, white	65 - 75
Water	7 - 9

Calculator

Inputs

Material Reflectance Factor (%)

Incident Solar Radiation (W/m²)

Results

Reflected Solar Radiation-- W/m²

Absorbed Solar Radiation-- W/m²