Fiber Bandwidth-Distance Calculator

Determine maximum fiber optic cable distance for a target data rate by fiber type (OS2, OM1-OM5). Based on IEEE 802.3 standards.

Data Rate

Mbps

Fiber Type

Wavelength

Tab to move between fields

Maximum Distance

10,000 m

≈ 30 Eiffel Towers

Maximum Distance

10 km

≈ 30 Eiffel Towers

Data Rate10 Gbps

Bandwidth Limited (1=Yes)0

How to Use This Calculator

Select Data Rate (Mbps) and Fiber Type (OS2 Single-Mode, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, or OM5) for your application.
Choose Wavelength (850 nm, 1310 nm, or 1550 nm) — multimode uses 850/1310 nm, single-mode uses 1310/1550 nm.
Review Maximum Distance (m and km) — this is the link length limit for that fiber type and data rate.
If the link is bandwidth-limited rather than attenuation-limited, Bandwidth Limited will show 1.
Compare your planned cable run against the Maximum Distance — if too long, upgrade to single-mode or add a repeater.

What each input means

Based on IEEE 802.3 standard distances per fiber type and data rate

Identify Input Parameters
Data Rate = 10000, Fiber Type = 1, Wavelength = 1 = 3 input(s) provided
Calculate Maximum Distance
Maximum Distance
10000 = 10000
Calculate Maximum Distance
Maximum Distance
10 = 10
Calculate Data Rate
10 = 10
Calculate Bandwidth Limited
0 = 0

Engine last updated August 6, 2026. Checked against 6 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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