How many meters of multimode fiber are there

Multimode fiber typically supports distances from 33 meters to 550 meters depending on the fiber type and data rate.

Maximum Distances by Fiber Type

• OM1 (62.5 µm core): Supports up to 33 meters at 10 Gbps and is commonly used for 100 Mbps Ethernet applications within buildings .
• OM2 (50 µm core): Can reach 82 meters at 10 Gbps, suitable for 1 Gbps Ethernet and short-range 10 Gbps links .
• OM3 (50 µm, laser-optimized): Supports 10 Gbps up to 300 meters and 40/100 Gbps up to 100 meters, ideal for data centers and enterprise networks .
• OM4 (50 µm, enhanced laser-optimized): Extends 10 Gbps links to 550 meters and 40/100 Gbps up to 150 meters, optimized for VCSEL-based transmission .
• OM5 (50 µm, wideband multimode): Backwards compatible with OM4, designed for short-range high-speed applications and supports multiple wavelengths for SWDM (shortwave division multiplexing) to increase capacity .

Factors Affecting Multimode Fiber Distance

• Data rate: Higher speeds reduce the maximum distance due to modal dispersion.
• Light source: LEDs are used in OM1/OM2, while VCSEL lasers are used in OM3/OM4/OM5 for longer distances and higher bandwidth .
• Core size and modal bandwidth: Larger cores (OM1) have lower bandwidth-distance products, limiting distance, while smaller, laser-optimized cores (OM3-OM5) allow longer reach .

Summary

Multimode fiber is ideal for short-range interconnections, typically within buildings or campuses. Depending on the type and speed, the effective transmission distance ranges from 33 meters (OM1 at 10 Gbps) to 550 meters (OM4 at 10 Gbps). For longer distances, single-mode fiber is preferred due to its lower attenuation and modal dispersion .