In fiber communications, the color of the fiber is not only an eyes-only indicator—it is actually used for determining the quantity, type of the fiber, and use of the fiber. Every fiber is color-coded, and this is a very crucial detail in the installation process, maintenance procedure, and fault-tracing process. Knowing the significance of various fiber colours assists in enhancing efficiency, minimizing connection faults, and guaranteeing guaranteed network performance. This article gives a summary of standard fiber colors and associated fiber type and use.
The Importance of Fiber Colour
The majority of contemporary fiber optic cable contains greater than one fiber core. With each to be properly mated to the right equipment or port, proper identification is important. Colour-coded fiber colour coding in accordance with international standards enables technicians to identify fibers quickly, avoiding connection mistakes that may result in network failure.
For cables with more than 12 fibers, striped or color dual codes offer easy identification of extra fibers even in cable-high counts. Color coding also distinguishes between fiber types, such as single-mode and multi-mode fibers. It ensures the correct types of fibers are used for a specific transmission rate and distance, thus offering the best network performance.
The 12 Standard fiber colours and Their Applications
Fiber color not only defines numbering but also generally specifies fiber type. Here are the 12 international-standard fiber colors, their types, and common applications:
| Fiber Number | fiber colour | Fiber Type | Typical Application |
| 1 | Blue | Single-mode (OS1/OS2) | Used for the first single-mode fiber, suitable for long-distance transmission, commonly in indoor cabling |
| 2 | Orange | Multi-mode (OM1/OM2) | Used for short-distance multi-mode networks, typically 62.5/125 µm or 50/125 µm fibers |
| 3 | Green | Single-mode (OS1/OS2, green jacket indicates APC connector) | APC fibers use green to reduce reflection loss |
| 4 | Brown | Multi-mode (OM3/OM4) | High-speed short-distance transmission, widely used in 10G/40G/100G data center links |
| 5 | Slate/Grey | Single-mode | Common in indoor cabling or standard single-mode fiber lines |
| 6 | White | Multi-mode | Used in indoor cabling or patch panels to distinguish different links |
| 7 | Red | Special-purpose or backup fiber | Indicates redundant links or critical communication fibers, facilitating maintenance |
| 8 | Black | Ruggedized fiber | Suitable for outdoor ducts and aerial installations, resistant to UV and harsh environments |
| 9 | Yellow | Single-mode (OS1/OS2) | Standard color for single-mode fibers, suitable for long-distance backbone transmission |
| 10 | Violet | Multi-mode (OM4/OM5) | High-speed multi-mode fiber (40G/100G), mainly in data center high-speed links |
| 11 | Pink | Multi-mode (OM4/OM5) | High-speed data center fiber, used to distinguish link types or purposes |
| 12 | Aqua | Multi-mode (OM3/OM4) | Standard color for 10G/40G/100G multi-mode fibers, easy to identify |
Single-mode fibers typically use yellow or blue jackets, with green for APC fibers. Multi-mode fibers typically use orange, brown, violet, or aqua. Red and black indicate backup or special-purpose fibers. Color coding allows technicians to quickly determine fiber type, purpose, and priority.
Practical Applications of Fiber Colour
- Easy Identification and Connection
Data center or point of cabling color coding enables technicians to easily identify the targeted fiber, minimizing connection errors and reducing installation efficiency. - Enhanced Maintenance Efficiency
When a fibre has malfunctioned, clear fiber colourcoding enables rapid identification of the malfunctioning fibre, saving time for troubleshooting and repair. - Standardized Management
Standard colours guarantee interchangeability of fibers from various manufacturers and projects, simplifying long-term maintenance and upgrades.
Conclusion
Fiber fiber colour is more than just a visual identifier—it is essential for efficient network management and reliable operation. Understanding the type, application, and purpose of each color helps improve the accuracy and efficiency of fiber installation, testing, and maintenance. At OMC FTTH, we provide the full range of high-quality fiber optic cables and accessories that are produced based on international fiber color standards to ensure stable, high-performance network solutions for data centre, telecommunication, and FTTH use.
Using standardized fiber colour codes ensures improved network stability, reliability, and scalability—particularly for current high-density fiber networks. For professional guidance or tailored fiber solutions, get in touch with us today, and our professional team at OMC FTTH will be more than happy to assist you in creating a faster, smarter optical network.
