Refractive Index common Liquids, Solids and Gases

Comprehensive reference for refractive indices of common liquids, solids, and gases. The refractive index (n) measures how much the velocity of light is reduced inside a medium, calculated as n = c/v, where c is the speed of light and v is the velocity of light in the medium.

MaterialCategoryRefractive Index (n)
Acetone (Gas)Gas1.00109
Air (-15 °C)Gas1.00030942
Air (0 °C)Gas1.00029238
Air (15 °C)Gas1.00027712
Air (30 °C)Gas1.00026337
Air (60 °C)Gas1.00023958
Alcohol, ethyl (Gas)Gas1.000878
Alcohol, methyl (Gas)Gas1.000586
AmmoniaGas1.000376
ArgonGas1.000281
Benzene (Gas)Gas1.001762
BromineGas1.001132
Carbon dioxideGas1.000449
Carbon disulfide (Gas)Gas1.001481
Carbon monoxideGas1.000338
ChlorineGas1.000773
Chloroform (Gas)Gas1.00145
Ether, ethyl (Gas)Gas1.001533
Ether, methyl (Gas)Gas1.000891
HeliumGas1.000035
Hydrochloric acid (Gas)Gas1.000447
HydrogenGas1.000132
MethaneGas1.000444
Nitric oxideGas1.000297
NitrogenGas1.000298
Nitrous oxideGas1.000516
OxygenGas1.000271
Pentane (Gas)Gas1.000686
Sulfur dioxideGas1.000686
VacuumGas1
Water vaporGas1.000261
Acetic AcidLiquid1.37
Acetone (Liquid)Liquid1.36
Alcohol, ethyl (ethanol)Liquid1.36
Alcohol, methyl (methanol)Liquid1.33
Alcohol, propylLiquid1.38
AnilineLiquid1.586
Benzene (Liquid)Liquid1.501
Benzyl benzoateLiquid1.568
Carbon disulfide (Liquid)Liquid1.63
Carbon tetrachlorideLiquid1.46
ChlorobenzeneLiquid1.525
Chloroform (Liquid)Liquid1.44
DecaneLiquid1.41
DodecaneLiquid1.41
Ether (Liquid)Liquid1.35
Ethylene glycolLiquid1.43
Ethyl salicylateLiquid1.523
Ethyl cinnamateLiquid1.559
Trichlorofluoromethane refrigerant R-11Liquid1.37
Dichlorodifluoromethane refrigerant R-12Liquid1.29
Chlorodifluoromethane refrigerant R-22Liquid1.26
FuranLiquid1.47
Glycerine (Glycerol)Liquid1.47
HeptaneLiquid1.38
HexaneLiquid1.37
Hydrogen liquidLiquid1.0974
Methyl salicylateLiquid1.538
Methylene iodineLiquid1.737
MilkLiquid1.35
OctaneLiquid1.4
Oil, cedarLiquid1.516
Oil, vegetable (50 °C)Liquid1.47
Oil, oliveLiquid1.46
Oil, turpentineLiquid1.47
ParaldehydeLiquid1.405
Paraffin, liquidLiquid1.48
Propane (Liquid)Liquid1.34
Propylene (Liquid)Liquid1.36
Propylene glycolLiquid1.43
QuinolineLiquid1.627
TolueneLiquid1.497
Turpentine (wood)Liquid1.47
Water (0 °C)Liquid1.33346
Water (20 °C)Liquid1.33283
Water (100 °C)Liquid1.31766
Crown glassSolid1.56
DiamondSolid2.417
Flint glassSolid1.66
Headlamp lenses glassSolid1.52
IceSolid1.31
PlexiglasSolid1.49
Quartz glassSolid1.46
SaltSolid1.52
Standard glass for optics (BK 7)Solid1.51673
Window glassSolid1.52
AcrylicPolymer1.49
Cellulose AcetatePolymer1.48
Epoxy resinPolymer1.6
HDPEPolymer1.5
PolycarbonatePolymer1.59
PTFEPolymer1.35
PolyesterPolymer1.54
PolymethylmethacrylatePolymer1.49
PolystyrenePolymer1.59
PolyvinylchloridePolymer1.54
Vinylidene chloridePolymer1.615