Laser Beam Divergence Calculator

Find a laser's divergence angle from beam growth over distance.

Full-angle divergence (mrad) 0.18

Formula: θ = (d₂ − d₁) ÷ distance

Step-by-step with your numbers:
1. Values used:
2. Initial beam diameter = 2
3. Beam diameter at distance = 20
4. Distance = 100
5.
6. Full-angle divergence = 0.18mrad
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Even laser beams spread out a little; divergence measures how fast.

The math behind it

Full-angle divergence θ ≈ (d₂ − d₁) ÷ distance, expressed here in milliradians.

Worked example

2 mm to 20 mm over 100 m → 0.18 mrad.

FAQ

Why does it spread at all?

Diffraction limits how parallel any real beam can be.