Refractive index to Brewster’s angle
Type a value in n to get it in ° instantly.
56.31°
That's 1.13× as dense as water, while window glass is 1.01× higher. Light travels 1.5 times slower inside it.
What it means
How much does it bend light?
Index depends on wavelength — that is what makes a prism work. Published values are usually for the yellow sodium line at 589 nm.
The math
How to convert n to °
From the index: the speed inside is c ÷ n, the critical angle is arcsin(1 ÷ n), Brewster’s angle is arctan(n), and the head-on reflectance is ((n − 1) ÷ (n + 1))².
Example: 1.5 n = 56.3099 °.
Every unit
Your index in every unit
Tables
n to ° conversion table
| n | ° |
|---|---|
| 1.0003 n | 45.0086 ° |
| 1.2 n | 50.1944 ° |
| 1.31 n | 52.6434 ° |
| 1.33 n | 53.0612 ° |
| 1.46 n | 55.5915 ° |
| 1.5 n | 56.3099 ° |
| 1.6 n | 57.9946 ° |
| 1.77 n | 60.5348 ° |
| 2 n | 63.4349 ° |
| 2.42 n | 67.5485 ° |
| 3.4 n | 73.6105 ° |
° to n conversion table
| ° | n |
|---|---|
| 50.2 ° | 1.20024 n |
| 52.6 ° | 1.30795 n |
| 53.1 ° | 1.33187 n |
| 55.6 ° | 1.46046 n |
| 56.3 ° | 1.49944 n |
| 58 ° | 1.60033 n |
| 60.5 ° | 1.76749 n |
| 63.4 ° | 1.99695 n |
| 67.5 ° | 2.41421 n |
| 73.6 ° | 3.39771 n |
Quick answers
Quick answers
- How many ° is 1 n?
- 1 n is 45 °.
- How many ° is 10 n?
- 10 n is 84.2894 °.
- How many ° is 1.5 n?
- 1.5 n is 56.3099 °.
The units
About these units
Refractive index (n)
How many times slower light travels in the material.
Brewster’s angle (°)
The angle at which reflected light is completely polarized.
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