Light & Optics Labλ = c / f • E = hf

488 nm to RGB & Color Calculator

Approximate how 488 nm monochromatic spectral light can be represented in sRGB, and calculate CIE 1931 tristimulus values, THz frequency, and photon energy.

CIE 1931 Spectral Synthesis
488 nm
Cyan
#00EAFF
nm
380 nm (Violet)555 nm (Peak)750 nm (Deep Red)
Frequency
614.329 THz
Photon Energy
2.541 eV
sRGB Channels
0, 234, 255
CIE 1931 XYZ
0.0428, 0.1951

Why You See This Color (488 nm)

At 488 nm, incoming photons stimulate both Short (S) and Medium (M) cone opsins simultaneously. The visual cortex compares the differential ratio between S-cone and M-cone activation, synthesizing the vibrant perception of cyan and sky blue. With an oscillation frequency of 614.329 THz and photon energy of 2.541 eV, this wavelength is converted into sRGB coordinates by projecting its spectral chromaticity point onto the CIE 1931 standard observer locus.

Physical Parameter Breakdown

Wavelength (λ):488 nm (488 × 10⁻⁹ m)
Oscillation Frequency (f):614.329 THz
Photon Quantum Energy (E):2.541 eV
CIE 1931 Tristimulus (XYZ):X:0.0428 Y:0.1951 Z:0.521
Traian Anghel
Traian AnghelAuthor & Reviewer

Physics Teacher & Educational TechnologistBrăila, Romania

Last Reviewed: August 2026
Wave Lab calculators are constructed using rigorous peer-reviewed physics formulas from verified metrological repositories. Every equation, spectral conversion, and acoustic property is tested against NIST, CIE, and ISO datasets.
Verified Sources:NIST CODATACIE 1931 2° ObserverNASA Glenn Research

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