IOR Reference Sheet
The index of Refraction or IOR of a material is the value that defines how much light bending occurs when light passes through a material or interacts with its surface. The higher the IOR, the more the light bends.
The Abbe value, or the dispersion of light, is the value at which the refractive index varies across wavelengths. A higher Abbe value results in less dispersion and chromatic aberration.
Below, you’ll find a list of unique and common materials and their respective IOR materials. The data has been sourced from various places all over the Internet. Thought I’d give myself a place to find em easily!
Happy rendering!
| Material | IOR (min) | IOR (max) | Abbe value (Dispersion) | Type | Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic glass | 1.49 | 1.492 | 32 | Plastic | Common |
| Air | 1 | 89.3 | Gas | Common | |
| Aluminum | 1.198 | Metal | Common | ||
| Asphalt | 1.635 | Composite material | Common | ||
| Beer | 1.345 | Liquid | Common | ||
| Bronze | 1.18 | Metal | Common | ||
| Copper | 1.1 | 2.43 | Metal | Common | |
| Crystal | 2 | 39 | Glass | Common | |
| Diamond | 2.418 | 22.73 | Mineral | Common | |
| Emerald | 1.56 | 1.605 | Gemstone | Common | |
| Ethanol, Alcohol | 1.36 | Liquid | Common | ||
| Eye, Aqueous Humor | 1.33 | Liquid | Common, Human | ||
| Gold | 0.47 | Metal | Common | ||
| Ice | 1.309 | Natural compound | Common | ||
| Iron | 2.95 | Metal | Common | ||
| Ivory | 1.54 | Natural compound | Common | ||
| Lead | 2.01 | Metal | Common | ||
| Mercury | 1.62 | Liquid | Common | ||
| Milk | 1.35 | Liquid | Common | ||
| Nickel | 1.08 | Metal | Common | ||
| Nylon | 1.53 | Plastic | Common | ||
| Paper | 1.47 | Natural compound | Common | ||
| Pearl | 1.53 | 1.69 | Natural compound | Common | |
| Plastic | 1.46 | Plastic | Common | ||
| Quartz | 1.544 | Mineral | Common | ||
| Ruby | 1.766 | Gemstone | Common | ||
| Sapphire | 1.766 | Gemstone | Common | ||
| Silver | 0.18 | Metal | Common | ||
| Snow | 1.31 | Natural compound | Common | ||
| Steel | 2.5 | Metal | Common | ||
| Teflon | 1.35 | 1.38 | Plastic | Common | |
| Titanium | 2.16 | Metal | Common | ||
| Topaz | 1.62 | Gemstone | Common | ||
| Vodka | 1.363 | Liquid | Common | ||
| Water | 1.333 | Liquid | Common | ||
| Whisky | 1.356 | Liquid | Common | ||
| Zinc | 1.002 | Metal | Common | ||
| Eye, Cornea | 1.38 | Natural compound | Common, Human | ||
| Eye, Lens | 1.41 | Natural compound | Common, Human | ||
| Eye, Vitreous Humor | 1.34 | Natural compound | Common, Human | ||
| Glass | 1.5 | Glass | Common, Lens | ||
| Pyrex | 1.474 | 66 | Glass | Common, Lens | |
| Crown Glass | 1.52 | 59 | Glass | Lens | |
| Crown Glass (impure) | 1.485 | 1.755 | 59 | Glass | Lens |
| Crown Glass (pure) | 1.5 | 1.54 | 59 | Glass | Lens |
| Flint Glass (impure) | 1.523 | 1.925 | 52 | Glass | Lens |
| Flint Glass (pure) | 1.6 | 1.62 | 55 | Glass | Lens |
| Flint Glass, 29% lead | 1.569 | 50 | Glass | Lens | |
| Flint Glass, 55% lead | 1.669 | 52 | Glass | Lens | |
| Flint Glass, 71% lead | 1.805 | 54 | Glass | Lens | |
| Flint Glass, Dense | 1.66 | 55 | Glass | Lens | |
| Fused Silica | 1.459 | Glass | Lens | ||
| Heaviest Flint Glass | 1.89 | 54 | Glass | Lens | |
| Heavy Flint Glass | 1.65 | 55 | Glass | Lens | |
| High Index Plastic (A) | 1.56 | 36 | Glass | Lens | |
| High Index Plastic (B) | 1.6 | 36 | Glass | Lens | |
| High Index Plastic (C) | 1.66 | 32 | Glass | Lens | |
| Lead Glass | 1.72 | Glass | Lens | ||
| Polycarbonite | 1.58 | 30 | Glass | Lens | |
| Zinc coated Crown Class | 1.517 | 55 | Glass | Lens | |
| Acetone | 1.36 | Liquid | |||
| Actinolite | 1.618 | Mineral | |||
| Agalmatolite | 1.55 | Mineral | |||
| Agate | 1.544 | 1.553 | Mineral | ||
| Agate, Moss | 1.54 | Mineral | |||
| Albite | 1.489 | Glass | |||
| Alcohol | 1.329 | Liquid | |||
| Alcohol, Ethyl (grain) | 1.36 | Liquid | |||
| Alcohol, Methyl (wood) | 1.329 | ||||
| Alexandrite | 1.746 | 1.755 | Mineral | ||
| Almandine | 1.244 | Mineral | |||
| Aluminum Chloride | 2.7 | Chemical compound | |||
| Aluminum Oxide | 1.665 | Chemical compound | |||
| Amber | 1.539 | 1.546 | Gemstone | ||
| Amblygonite | 1.611 | Gemstone | |||
| Amethyst | 1.532 | 1.554 | Gemstone | ||
| Ammolite | 1.52 | 1.68 | Gemstone | ||
| Amorphous Selenium | 2.92 | Chemical element | |||
| Anatase | 2.49 | Mineral | |||
| Andalusite | 1.629 | 1.65 | Gemstone | ||
| Anhydrite | 1.571 | Mineral | |||
| Apatite | 1.42 | 1.632 | Mineral | ||
| Apophyllite | 1.536 | Mineral | |||
| Aquamarine | 1.567 | Mineral | |||
| Aragonite | 1.53 | Mineral | |||
| Argon | 1 | Gas | |||
| Arsenic Trisulfide | 2.04 | Glass | |||
| Augelite | 1.574 | Mineral | |||
| Axenite | 1.674 | 1.704 | Mineral | ||
| Axinite | 1.675 | Mineral | |||
| Azurite | 1.73 | Mineral | |||
| Barite | 1.636 | Mineral | |||
| Barytocalcite | 1.684 | Mineral | |||
| Benitoite | 1.757 | Mineral | |||
| Benzene | 1.501 | Chemical compound | |||
| Beryl | 1.57 | 1.6 | Mineral | ||
| Beryllonite | 1.553 | Mineral | |||
| Borax | 1.446 | Mineral | |||
| Brazilianite | 1.603 | Mineral | |||
| Bromine | 1.661 | Liquid | |||
| Brownite | 1.567 | ||||
| Calcite | 1.486 | Mineral | |||
| Cancrinite | 1.491 | Mineral | |||
| Carbon Dioxide | 1 | Gas | |||
| Carbon Disulfide | 1.628 | Liquid | |||
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 1.46 | Liquid | |||
| Carbonated Beverages | 1.34 | Liquid | |||
| Cassiterite | 1.997 | Mineral | |||
| Celestite | 1.622 | Mineral | |||
| Cerussite | 1.804 | Mineral | |||
| Ceylanite | 1.77 | Mineral | |||
| Chalcedony | 1.544 | 1.553 | Mineral | ||
| Chalk | 1.51 | Mineral | |||
| Chalybite | 1.63 | Mineral | |||
| Chlorine | 1.001 | Gas | |||
| Chlorine (liquid) | 1.385 | Liquid | |||
| Chrome Red | 2.42 | Chemical compound | |||
| Chrome Tourmaline | 1.61 | 1.64 | Mineral | ||
| Chrome Yellow | 2.31 | Chemical compound | |||
| Chromium | 2.97 | Metal | |||
| Chromium Green | 2.4 | Chemical compound | |||
| Chromium Oxide | 2.705 | Chemical compound | |||
| Chrysoberyl | 1.745 | Mineral | |||
| Chrysocolla | 1.5 | Mineral | |||
| Chrysoprase | 1.534 | Mineral | |||
| Cinnabar (Mercury Sulfide) | 3.02 | Mineral | |||
| Citrine | 1.532 | Mineral | |||
| Cleaner | 1.293 | Liquid | |||
| Clinohumite | 1.625 | Mineral | |||
| Clinozoisite | 1.724 | Mineral | |||
| Cobalt Blue | 1.74 | Chemical compound | |||
| Cobalt Green | 1.97 | Chemical compound | |||
| Cobalt Violet | 1.71 | Chemical compound | |||
| Colemanite | 1.586 | Mineral | |||
| Copper Oxide | 2.705 | Chemical compound | |||
| Coral | 1.486 | Natural compound | |||
| Cordierite | 1.54 | Mineral | |||
| Corundum | 1.766 | Mineral | |||
| Crocoite | 2.31 | Mineral | |||
| Cromite | 2.16 | Mineral | |||
| Cryolite | 1.338 | Mineral | |||
| Crysoberyl | 1.746 | 1.755 | Mineral | ||
| Cubic Zirconia | 2.15 | 2.18 | 33.54 | Mineral | |
| Cuprite | 2.85 | Mineral | |||
| Danburite | 1.627 | Mineral | |||
| Diopside | 1.68 | Mineral | |||
| Dolomite | 1.503 | Mineral | |||
| Dumortierite | 1.686 | Mineral | |||
| Ebonite | 1.66 | Rubber | |||
| Ekanite | 1.6 | Mineral | |||
| Elaéolite | 1.532 | Mineral | |||
| Enstatite | 1.663 | Mineral | |||
| Epidote | 1.733 | Mineral | |||
| Euclase | 1.652 | Mineral | |||
| Feldspar, Adventurine | 1.532 | Mineral | |||
| Feldspar, Albite | 1.525 | Mineral | |||
| Feldspar, Amazonite | 1.525 | Mineral | |||
| Feldspar, Labrodorite | 1.565 | Mineral | |||
| Feldspar, Microcline | 1.525 | Mineral | |||
| Feldspar, Oligoclase | 1.539 | Mineral | |||
| Feldspar, Orthoclase | 1.525 | Mineral | |||
| Flourite | 1.433 | 94.99 | Mineral | ||
| Formica | 1.47 | Chemical compound | |||
| Fused Quartz | 1.46 | Glass | |||
| Gallium(III) Arsenide | 3.927 | Chemical compound | |||
| Gallium(III) Phosphide | 3.5 | Chemical compound | |||
| Garnet, Almandine | 1.76 | Mineral | |||
| Garnet, Almandite | 1.79 | Mineral | |||
| Garnet, Andradite | 1.82 | Mineral | |||
| Garnet, Demantiod | 1.88 | 1.9 | Mineral | ||
| Garnet, Grossular | 1.72 | 1.8 | Mineral | ||
| Garnet, Hessonite | 1.745 | Mineral | |||
| Garnet, Mandarin | 1.79 | 1.8 | Mineral | ||
| Garnet, Pyrope | 1.73 | 1.76 | Mineral | ||
| Garnet, Rhodolite | 1.74 | 1.77 | Mineral | ||
| Garnet, Spessartite | 1.81 | Mineral | |||
| Garnet, Tsavorite | 1.739 | 1.744 | Mineral | ||
| Garnet, Uvarovite | 1.74 | 1.87 | Mineral | ||
| Gaylussite | 1.517 | Mineral | |||
| Glycerine | 1.473 | Liquid | |||
| Glycerol | 1.473 | Liquid | |||
| Gypsium | 1.519 | Mineral | |||
| Hambergite | 1.559 | Mineral | |||
| Hauyne | 1.49 | 1.505 | Mineral | ||
| Hauynite | 1.502 | Mineral | |||
| Helium | 1 | Gas | |||
| Hematite | 2.94 | Mineral | |||
| Hemimorphite | 1.614 | Mineral | |||
| Hiddenite | 1.655 | Mineral | |||
| Honey, 13% water | 1.504 | Liquid | |||
| Honey, 17% water | 1.494 | Liquid | |||
| Honey, 21% water | 1.484 | Liquid | |||
| Howlite | 1.586 | Mineral | |||
| Hydrogen (gas) | 1 | Gas | |||
| Hydrogen (liquid) | 1.097 | Liquid | |||
| Hypersthene | 1.67 | Mineral | |||
| Idocrase | 1.713 | Mineral | |||
| Iodine Crystal | 3.34 | Natural compound | |||
| Iolite | 1.522 | 1.578 | Mineral | ||
| Jade, Jadeite | 1.64 | 1.667 | Mineral | ||
| Jade, Nephrite | 1.6 | 1.641 | Mineral | ||
| Jadeite | 1.665 | Mineral | |||
| Jasper | 1.54 | Mineral | |||
| Jet | 1.66 | Natural compound | |||
| Kornerupine | 1.665 | Mineral | |||
| Kunzite | 1.66 | 1.676 | Mineral | ||
| Kyanite | 1.715 | Mineral | |||
| Labradorite | 1.565 | Mineral | |||
| Lapis Lazuli | 1.5 | Mineral | |||
| Lepidolite | 1.525 | Mineral | |||
| Magnesite | 1.509 | Mineral | |||
| Malachite | 1.655 | Mineral | |||
| Mica | 1.58 | Mineral | |||
| Moonstone | 1.52 | Mineral | |||
| Nephrite | 1.6 | 1.641 | Mineral | ||
| Nitrogen (gas) | 1 | Gas | |||
| Nitrogen (liquid) | 1.205 | Liquid | |||
| Obsidian | 1.489 | 1.5 | Mineral | ||
| Oil, Clove | 1.535 | Liquid | |||
| Oil, Lemon | 1.481 | Liquid | |||
| Oil, Neroli | 1.482 | Liquid | |||
| Oil, Orange | 1.473 | Liquid | |||
| Oil, Safflower | 1.466 | Liquid | |||
| Oil (vegetable) | 1.47 | Liquid | |||
| Olivine | 1.65 | Mineral | |||
| Onyx | 1.486 | Mineral | |||
| Onyx Marble | 1.486 | Mineral | |||
| Opal | 1.45 | Mineral | |||
| Opal, Black | 1.44 | 1.46 | Mineral | ||
| Opal, Fire | 1.43 | 1.46 | Mineral | ||
| Opal, White | 1.44 | 1.46 | Mineral | ||
| Orthoclase | 1.525 | Mineral | |||
| Oxygen (gas) | 1 | Gas | |||
| Oxygen (liquid) | 1.221 | Liquid | |||
| Palladium | 1.35 | Metal | |||
| Peridot | 1.654 | Mineral | |||
| Phosphorus (red) | 1.001 | Chemical element | |||
| Phosphorus (white) | 1.001 | Chemical element | |||
| Platinum | 2.21 | Metal | |||
| Rhodium | 2.43 | Metal | |||
| Rum (White) | 1.361 | Liquid | |||
| Selenium (amorphous) | 2.92 | Chemical element | |||
| Silicon | 3.42 | Chemical element | |||
| Sodalite | 1.483 | Mineral | |||
| Sulfur | 1.96 | Mineral | |||
| Talc | 1.54 | Mineral | |||
| Tanzanite | 1.691 | Gemstone | |||
| Tourmaline | 1.624 | Gemstone | |||
| Trivex | 1.53 | 43 | Glass | ||
| Ulexite | 1.488 | Mineral | |||
| Uranium Glass | 1.51 | Glass | |||
| Zincite | 2.01 | Mineral | |||
| Zircon | 1.923 | Mineral | |||
| Zirconia (cubic) | 2.15 | Mineral | |||
| Zirconia (monoclinic) | 2.18 | Mineral | |||
| Zoisite | 1.691 | Mineral |